Center for Disability Services, Tufts Dental School partnering on innovative oral care for people with disabilities
The Center for Disability Services has initiated a first-in-human-use clinical trial to evaluate a novel oral hygiene product. In partnership with the School of Dental Medicine at Tufts University, subjects are now being recruited for a clinical trial to establish the safety and efficacy of a patent-pending toothbrush that is specifically designed for caregiver-assisted oral hygiene. The product was designed and developed at the Center’s new Health Innovations Incubator & Technology Center located in Watervliet, NY.
“There are millions of people in the United States each day who rely on a caregiver for oral hygiene,” said Eric Ledet, Director of the Incubator. “In spite of this huge need, there has never been a toothbrush specifically designed for one person to brush another person’s teeth. The new product addresses this large and growing need.”
The new product was developed by the engineering team at the Incubator in conjunction with the Center’s caregiving staff and dental clinic staff. “The development of this product is illustrative of the range of expertise that exists at the Center for Disability Services,” said Greg Sorrentino, CEO of the Center. “Our experienced caregivers are adept at identifying needs and conceiving of solutions. With the design and development capabilities of our Incubator, we can now take those ideas and develop them into products which improve quality of life for aging persons and individuals with disabilities.”
The Center for Disability Services is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Albany, NY. For 80 years, the Center for Disability Services has empowered people with disabilities to lead healthy, happy and productive lives. With more than 80 locations throughout 15 counties, the Center annually provides programs, services and a continuum of care to over 12,000 individuals with 300 different diagnoses.
The Health Innovations Incubator & Technology Center is the newest division of the Center for Disability Services. Established in 2019, the mission of the Incubator is to develop new products which improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The Incubator is currently developing six different technologies. It employs professional staff and also has fellowship and internship programs to provide opportunities for local students.
For more information, contact Anne Costigan 518-330-2781.
