WASHINGTON,PRNewswire/ -- OralHygenix announced this week development of its Freedom Oral Care System (FOCS), the world's first mobile, hands-free oral hygiene platform designed to meet daily care needs of disabled, elderly, convalescent and chronically infirm populations. Introduced at AdvaMed 2013: The MedTech Conference in a company presentation, OralHygenix is seeking funding to support commercial launch in 2015.
"Although numerous studies have demonstrated the impact of dental hygiene on overall wellbeing, there is no product on the market aimed at helping America's growing elderly and disabled population improve and maintain their oral health," said Dr. Stephen H. Wolpo, DDS, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OralHygenix. "With 80 percent of nursing home residents having fair to poor oral health and the incidence rate of acute care conditions and health complications associated with poor oral hygiene on the rise among our most vulnerable patient populations, the need to improve the efficacy of daily care as well as lower downstream costs and risk is clear. FOCS was developed to address this need."
The patented device uses three synergistic modalities (mechanical (brushing); iontophoretic (ionic charges); and irrigation (anti-microbial and fluoride rinses)) to deliver daily oral care for multiple patients using individualized mouthpieces. The hands-free system cleans the surfaces of teeth and gums (i.e. dislodge debris, remove plaque and tartar) and irrigates, disinfects and applies protective elements to teeth.
The system also tracks and monitors utilization and provides real-time compliance documentation to all stakeholders and wirelessly integrates with eMARs (Electronic Medication Administration Record and Scheduling).
OralHygenix will focus initially on the 16,100 nursing homes in the U.S., which are mandated to provide daily oral care per the 1987 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA). In 2016, the company plans to launch next generation products, including an in-home system and a portable, battery-operated mass-market device.
"Improving oral health among disabled, elderly, convalescent and chronically infirm populations, offers significant benefits. For patients it means less cavities, gum infections and extractions as well as a reduction in the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia – a leading cause of death among the convalescent which costs the health care system in excess of $300M per year," added Wolpo. "From our perspective, enabling and ensuring compliance provides a direct cost-savings benefit to the larger healthcare system."
The company is seeking financing to support its clinical trial program with New York University College of Dentistry, refine the prototype system and prepare for commercial scale-up.
About OralHygenix:
OralHygenix is a pioneer in mobile, hands-free oral care technologies. The company's Freedom Oral Care System (FOCS) will address the growing dental care problem among aging and disabled populations. For further information about OralHygenix, please visit www.oralhygenix.com.
