GB2545885A - Dental health education - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in dental health education. The apparatus comprises a dental model 14 having a sensing means 6 that is adapted to sense the presence of a cleaning tool 8 in an interdental area, i.e. a region between two adjacent teeth 4. The sensing means may comprise a number of sensors embedded in and around the tooth. The sensors and tool are preferably electrically conductive, each sensor being operable to detect contact with the interdental tool. The number and position of the sensors enables the apparatus to determine the extent of contact between the tool and tooth. A positive reading from the sensor will cause an output means of the apparatus to emit a signal, such as an audible or visible signal. The cleaning tool may be selected from one of dental floss, an interdental brush or a tooth brush. A processor adapted to evaluate the cleaning of a dental model is also disclosed.

Description

Dental health education

The present invention relates to apparatus for dental health education. This invention also relates to a corresponding computer system and method.

The two main diseases that dentists deal with are tooth decay (caries) and gum disease (periodontal disease). The primary causative factor in both of these is bacteria. The bacteria live in a microfilm which builds up every day. The process of tooth decay begins after a sticky protein layer deposited out of the saliva forms on the tooth surface. Pathogenic bacteria (which are normally balanced by the ‘good’ bacteria present in the mouth) migrate and grow in this ‘pellicle’. After two days they are mature enough to begin to be destructive. This microfilm is known as plaque.

Curing these diseases requires patients to change their habitats with regard to brushing and flossing. Brushing removes plaque from the outside, inside and top of the tooth but does not reach the sides. Only flossing or the use of interspace brushes is effective in removing plaque from between the teeth. The prevalence of both caries and periodontal disease is higher in the area between the teeth for the very reason that plaque is generally not well removed there.

There are three major factors which hinder patients from adapting good dental health habits: 1. Education: The Brushing Habit’ is often acquired as a child following instruction from a parent, but children are not always shown how to brush efficiently nor effectively. Flossing is often completely absent from the childhood experience so that the adult has not been educated on the importance of flossing. A dentist or hygienist may show patients how to perform the task of removal but often fail to convince their patients of the necessity and importance. 2. Dexterity: Both brushing and flossing are in fact not simple techniques. Flossing is much more challenging task technically than brushing; even patients who are shown how often struggle to floss correctly. 3. Motivation: Both these diseases have a very insidious progress and the destructive effect only begins to be noticed towards the terminal end where tooth loss often can be inevitable. Patients therefore do not feel the urgency. With all the pressures of everyday life they do not feel that it is important ‘as it doesn’t hurt’.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a dental health educational apparatus which at least alleviates these problems.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a dental health educational apparatus comprising a dental model adapted to sense a cleaning tool in an interdental area; and an output adapted to output a signal in dependence on the presence of the cleaning tool in the interdental area. By providing a dental model a user can train cleaning and be educated to clean correctly on a model rather than on the user’s own teeth. By sensing the cleaning tool the cleaning performance of the user can be detected. By providing an output the user’s cleaning performance can be fed back to the user and areas for improvement identified.

With the assistance of a dental health educational apparatus children and adults may be educated and encouraged to floss, brush and clean teeth properly.

The cleaning tool may for example be: floss; an interdental brush; a floss pick; a floss holder; or a tooth brush. The cleaning tool is preferably floss and the cleaning is preferably flossing.

Preferably the sensing comprises sensing the extent of contact between the cleaning tool and the dental model in the interdental area. In order to achieve good cleaning, in particular in the case of flossing, a high extent of contact is desirable. Sensing the extent of contact can enable determining the quality of the user’s cleaning. For effective sensing of the extent of contact preferably a first sensor is positioned on the buccal side of a tooth in the dental model and a second sensor is positioned on the lingual side of that tooth. For effective sensing of the extent of contact preferably a third sensor positioned on the proximal side of the tooth. For more detailed determination of the extent of contact the apparatus may comprise a plurality of sensors on the buccal side of a tooth and/or a plurality of sensors on the lingual side of a tooth and/or a sensor on the proximal side of the tooth.

For more detailed determination of the quality of the user’s cleaning the sensing may further comprise sensing the interdental position of the cleaning tool. This can enable distinction of interdental positions where good cleaning is achieved and interdental positions where poor cleaning is achieved within the same interdental space. For sensing the interdental position preferably one or more coronal sensors are positioned on the coronal side of a tooth and one or more gingival sensors are positioned on the gingival side of the tooth. A further plurality of sensors may be positioned at a further cervical height.

For more detailed determination of the quality of the user’s cleaning the sensing may further comprise sensing the pressure applied by the cleaning tool to the dental model. This can enable identification of cleaning that may only insufficiently remove plaque.

For more detailed determination of the quality of the user’s cleaning the sensing may further comprise sensing cleaning in a gum region of the dental model. This can enable the apparatus to provide more realistic training that takes into account cleaning that may damage gums. For sensing the cleaning in the gum region one or more gum sensors may be positioned in the gum region.

For simplicity the sensing may comprise closing an electrical circuit by the cleaning tool. Preferably the cleaning tool is electrically conductive in order to close the electrical circuit.

The sensing may comprise capacitive, piezoresistive, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, optical, magnetic, inductance, resistance, or potentiometric sensing of the cleaning tool.

In order to test the user’s ability to clean more realistically the apparatus may comprise a means for concealment of the dental model from view. Preferably the sensing further comprises sensing concealment of the dental model. For sensing concealment a concealment sensor may be arranged to detect the means for concealment.

In order to test more general cleaning of the teeth the sensing may further comprise sensing brushing of the dental model. For sensing brushing one or more brush sensors may be positioned on a tooth of the dental model.

In order to accommodate different users and levels of skill and different use scenarios the apparatus may comprise a plurality of interchangeable dental models. The dental model is preferably at least one of: a dental model with child dentation, a dental model with adult dentation, an enlarged scale dental model, a natural scale dental model, a dental arch, both dental arches, a dental quadrant, a partial dental quadrant, and two adjacent teeth.

The output may be adapted to output at least one of: a light; a sound; a graphical display; and a textual instruction. Preferably the output is adapted to vary in dependence on a performance sensed by a sensor. The output may be in realtime or it may be subsequent to a cleaning event. A light may be arranged near the (or each) interdental space to provide an output. A speaker may be arranged to provide a sound (such as a bell, a chime or a buzz).

For compactness the output may be embedded in the dental model.

The apparatus may further comprise a processor adapted to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on sensor data. The sensors may output sensor data to the processor for evaluation, and the processor may output evaluation data to a display. A processor can enable sophisticated evaluation and feed-back to the user. The processor is preferably further adapted to receive and/or record and/or store and/or transmit sensor data and/or evaluation data. The processor is preferably further adapted to display a graphical display of the evaluation. For usefulness the processor may be adapted to provide instruction in a teaching mode and/or to evaluate cleaning in a competitive mode.

For compactness and modularity the apparatus may further comprise a transmitter adapted to transmit sensor data to a processor for evaluation. The sensors may output sensor data to the transmitter for transmission, and the processor may output evaluation data to a display. The apparatus may store sensor data for transmission.

The apparatus may comprise a base adapted to receive the dental model. The base may comprise a holder for cleaning tool and optionally a holder for a tooth brush and/or an interdental brush. The base may comprise a processor. The output may be embedded in the base and/or in the dental model.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a processor adapted to receive sensor data from dental health educational apparatus and to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on the sensor data. Preferably the processor is further adapted to record and/or store and/or transmit sensor data and/or evaluation data. The processor may be further adapted to display a graphical display of the evaluation. For usefulness the processor may be adapted to provide instruction in a teaching mode and/or to evaluate cleaning in a competitive mode.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided software adapted to receive sensor data from a dental health educational apparatus.

According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided software for a dental health educational apparatus adapted to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on sensor data.

According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a dental health educational apparatus, a processor and optionally software.

According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a dental health educational apparatus to sense cleaning.

The invention extends to a dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or with reference to the accompanying figures. The invention also extends to a method of using a dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures. The invention further extends to software for dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

The invention also provides a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein.

The invention also provides a signal embodying a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, a method of transmitting such a signal, and a computer product having an operating system which supports a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any reference to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments that are described with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of dental health educational apparatus;

Figures 2a and 2b are plan views of the dental health educational apparatus of Figure 1 in two different configurations;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of further dental health educational apparatus; Figure 4 is a schematic view of further dental health educational apparatus;

Figure 5 is a plan view of further dental health educational apparatus;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of further dental health educational apparatus; Figure 7 is a schematic view of further dental health educational apparatus;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of further dental health educational apparatus;

Figure 9 is a schematic view of further dental health educational apparatus;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a display for feedback to the user; and Figure 11 is a further schematic view of a display for feedback to the user.

Figure 1 shows dental health educational apparatus 2 with a dental model 14 that includes a number of teeth 4. The teeth 4 are shaped like human teeth and enlarged relative to human teeth. A number of floss sensors 6 are embedded in a tooth 4. A floss sensor 6 is positioned on the buccal side (facing the cheek) of the tooth 4 and another floss sensor 6 is positioned on the lingual side (facing the tongue) of the tooth 4. A third floss sensor is positioned in the interdental (or interstitial) area proximal the adjacent tooth. The floss sensors 6 are positioned in the cervical region (the neck region between the crown and the gum) of the tooth 4. The floss sensors 6 are arranged so that they extend from the gum region of the tooth 4 to the crown region of the tooth. The teeth 4 are arranged in a natural configuration, with the widest parts of the crowns of neighbouring teeth 4 nearly touching near the top. A gap between the teeth 4 permits floss 8 to be inserted between the teeth 4. The teeth 4 taper toward the gum line, defining an interdental space between the teeth 4. A light 12 is positioned near the interdental space. A speaker for providing sounds is embedded in the dental model 14. The dental health educational apparatus 2 can take the form of a toy.

In use a person inserts floss 8 between the two teeth 4, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. The interdental floss sensor 6 can determine at which cervical (or interdental) height the flossing occurs, while the buccal and lingual floss sensors 6 can determine whether the floss 8 is in good contact with the tooth 4. In Figure 2a the floss 8 is shown between the teeth 4 with minimal contact with the sides of the teeth 4, as would result in poor flossing. The floss 8 contacts the interdental floss sensor 6 but does not contact either the buccal or lingual floss sensors 6. In Figure 2b the floss 8 is shown wrapped around the left tooth 4, with good contact with the curved sides of the tooth 4, as is required for effective flossing. In this configuration the floss 8 contacts all three floss sensors 6 including the buccal and lingual floss sensors 6.

In order to encourage specific flossing behaviour, a flossing score can be calculated with flossing in different areas being weighted differently so as to contribute to the flossing score to a greater or lesser proportion. For example, flossing in regions that are difficult to reach, such as at the back of the mouth, near the gum area, and/or around the point of contact between two teeth, can be weighted such that its contribution to the overall score is proportionately higher than for flossing in other regions.

Figure 3 shows dental health educational apparatus 2 with two floss sensors 6 embedded in a tooth 4. One floss sensor 6 is positioned on the buccal side of the tooth 4 and another floss sensor 6 is positioned on the lingual side of the tooth 4. In this simplified example the floss sensors 6 can determine whether the floss 8 is in good contact with the tooth 4, but not necessarily whether good flossing is achieved along the full cervical height.

In this simple example of the dental health educational apparatus 2, the floss 8 is electrically conductive and by coming into contact with the two floss sensors 6 an electrical circuit is closed and the light 12 and speaker are actuated to provide a light and a sound (e.g. a chime, bell or buzz). This provides feedback to a person manipulating the floss 8 as to whether good tooth 4 contact and hence good flossing is achieved. Because of the feedback to the user from the floss sensors 6 the user can be trained to floss correctly. Because the teeth 4 of the dental model 14 are realistic, the user can practice correct flossing and acquire dexterity.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of the dental health educational apparatus 2. The floss sensors 6 provide information to the sensor logic 30 (in the simple example described above the electrical circuit) which then generates an output 32 for the user (in the simple example described above the light and chime).

Figure 5 shows a variant with floss sensors 6 in the teeth 4 on either side of the interdental gap, in order to provide more realistic flossing training. Figure 5 shows an additional floss 8 configuration that can be sensed in this variant. Here a portion of the distal surface (facing away from the middle of the dental arch) of one tooth is flossed at the same time as a portion of the mesial surface (facing toward the middle of the dental arch) of another tooth. This additional floss 8 configuration can be discouraged or it can be treated as per the floss configuration shown in Figure 2b, or it can be treated as an allowable but inferior configuration to the configuration shown in Figure 2b.

The dental model 14 of the dental health educational apparatus 2 can include just two model teeth 4 as shown in Figures 2a and 2b and 5, or it can include a group of teeth 4 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, or it can include a complete jaw of teeth 4, or a model with both an upper and a lower jaw as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, to enable training of flossing for all teeth 4. Floss sensors 6 can be included in all teeth 4 of such a model to enable training of flossing of all teeth 4. The regions between the teeth 4 that are to be cleaned by flossing can be marked or coloured to highlight them. A light 12 can be provided for each interdental space, or a single light can be provided for whichever interdental space is being cleaned. If each interdental space has its own light then once good flossing in one interdental space has been achieved that light may remain lit until the apparatus is reset. This can enable tracking of progress as the dental model is cleaned. Alternatively the light may remain lit only while good flossing is achieved and may turn off again once another tooth is being flossed. This can enable real-time feedback of whether the flossing is good or poor. Alternatively the light may only be lit once flossing is completed on the dental model, and only at the interdental spaces where good flossing was achieved. This can enable a testing mode to test if a user can achieve good flossing without immediate feedback. Additionally or alternatively a speaker can provide a sound in real-time when good flossing is achieved.

Figure 6 shows a variant with a sensing area 50 that is subdivided into nine distinct pressure or contact sensitive zones 52: coronal 54 (near the crown); cervical 55 (mid-neck); gingival 56 (near the gums) and buccal 57; proximal 58 (near the adjacent tooth); lingual 59. Each sensing zone 52 can provide an individual signal to the sensor logic 30 for further evaluation. By sensing floss 8 in these different zones the flossing can be characterised in more detail; for example coronal and cervical flossing may be performed well across the buccal, proximal and lingual zones 52, but gingival flossing only occurs in the proximal zone 52 and better floss contact in the gingival area may require further training.

An appropriate pressure sensitive floss sensor 6 can be for example a capacitive sensor, a piezoresistive sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, or a potentiometric sensor. These types of floss sensor 6 can detect the presence of floss 8, and additionally the pressure that is applied by the floss 8 at the floss sensor 6. An appropriate contact (or touch) sensitive floss sensor 6 can be for example a capacitance sensor, a resistance sensor or a piezo sensor. These types of sensors may require particular characteristics of the floss 8 such as capacitance or resistance. An appropriate proximity (or touch) sensitive floss sensor 6 can be for example a magnetic sensor or an inductance sensor. These types of sensors may require particular characteristics of the floss 8 such as being magnetic.

More than nine distinct zones 52 can be provided in order to increase the level of detail. The sensing area 50 can extend all the way around the tooth 4; this can enable evaluation of brushing as well, for example with sensing zones 52 at the buccal and lingual surfaces of the tooth 4. Brushing the crown of the tooth 4 can be inferred if both buccal and lingual sensing zones are activated simultaneously; alternatively dedicated further sensing zones can be provided at the crowns of the teeth 4. Instead of sensing zones 52 a number of spot sensors can be distributed over the tooth surface. Further gum sensors can be provided in the gum portion of the dental model 14, in order to identify flossing (or brushing) that is likely to be damaging to gums. Where brushing on the crown of a tooth is sensed the brushing can be evaluated as to whether the full surface is adequately brushed, or if the brush is applied at an oblique angle and only a portion of the crown is well cleaned. The brushing of the sides of teeth can be evaluated similarly.

Depending on the requirements of the floss sensors 6 used in the dental health educational apparatus 2 different items can be suitable as the floss 8. Dental floss can be used for example if the dental model 14 is scaled approximately same as human teeth, and the floss sensors 6 are for example pressure sensitive. A conductive material is appropriate in the example described above where the floss 8 closes an electrical circuit by coming into contact with the floss sensors 6. In a dental model 14 where the teeth 4 are larger than human teeth, a string that is thicker than dental floss may be used as floss 8.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the dental health educational apparatus 2 that includes a larger support base 20. The support base 20 houses a processor or computer (not shown in Figure 7) and a display 64 for more sophisticated flossing evaluation and feedback. The display 64 is provided in the base 20 for presenting information to the user such as a floss evaluation and user selection of settings. Input controls 24 are provided for user input such as selection of settings (e.g. teaching/practice mode). A number of lights 12 are provided to indicate when good contact between a tooth 4 and floss 8 (and hence good flossing) is achieved. Additionally a speaker 26 provides sound (e.g. a bell, a chime or a buzz) when good contact between a tooth 4 and floss 8 and hence good flossing is achieved.

The support base 20 can additionally include holders for pieces of floss 8 and optionally tooth brushes and/or interdental (or interstitial) brushes or other tooth cleaning tools. Inclusion of tooth brushes can enable more comprehensive evaluation of the cleaning of the teeth. Inclusion of interdental brushes can enable comparison of the cleaning effect of flossing and interdental brushing, and also can enable training of cleaning with interdental brushes. Inclusion of other tooth cleaning tools such as floss picks or floss holders can enable comparison of the cleaning effect of cleaning with different tools, and also can enable training of cleaning for example with floss picks. The dental model 14 may be detachable from the support base 20.

Figure 8 shows dental health educational apparatus 2 that includes a processor or computer 60 with a display 64 connected to the dental model 14 via an external link 62 (wireless or with a suitable cable). The computer 60 with the display 64 may be in the form of a mobile device such as a tablet or a smart phone, or it may be a laptop or a workstation. The computer 60 has suitable software installed such as an app (for a tablet or mobile phone). The link 62 may for example be a Bluetooth link.

Figure 9 shows dental health educational apparatus 2 that includes a processor or computer 60 embedded in the dental model 14, with a display 64 visible to a user.

When the user rubs the floss 8 correctly against the teeth 4 the computer 60 generates and displays on the display 64 an evaluation of the flossing, such as a score, based on the flossing sensor data. If gum sensors are provided in the gums then the score can be reduced to account for gum damage. Two competitors can play against each other and each can try to obtain the higher score. Alternatively a single user can be encouraged to outperform a previous user or a previous score. The computer 60 can also generate encouraging sounds such as clapping or congratulations. The computer 60 can generate a score to indicate how well each tooth 4 is cleaned, as well as an overall score for all teeth 4 together or for a group of teeth 4. The computer 60 can display a representation of the teeth 4 in the dental model 14 and graphically display the score on a tooth by tooth basis. The score can be represented in a graphical manner rather than a numerical manner, for instance by displaying the interdental areas coloured according to the score (for example green colouring in interdental areas that were well cleaned and red when poorly cleaned). An app can be provided for phones and computers, which can connect to the dental model by a (RTM) wireless connection (such as Bluetooth).

The use of a more sophisticated computer 60 allows more tailored functionality of the feedback to the user. For example, a teaching mode and a practice mode can be provided, where in the teaching mode instructions are given based on the feedback from the floss sensors 6 (“great positioning, now floss a little lower!”), and in the practice mode the user is engaged in playing a game, competing against himself or others. In the game different levels can be provided depending on the user skill; for example for a beginner flosser only the correct wrapping of the floss 8 to the tooth curvature is assessed, for an intermediate user the crown-to-gum flossing over the whole tooth curvature is assessed, and for an advanced user gum damage is taken into account as well. The feedback can be near-instantaneous, so that while a user is practicing flossing for example a traffic light signal shows him if he is flossing well. The feedback can also be provided at the end of a cleaning session so that the user can test his performance.

The dental model 14 can be provided in a version with child dentation and a version with adult dentation, with the corresponding display adaptation, in order to provide closer resemblance to the user’s own teeth. Different sets of instructions and feedback presentation can be offered depending on the user. For instance a child version can be more playful and an adult version can be more scientific. Also, the dental model 14 can be provided in a large scale version that is larger than human teeth for training, and in a natural scale version that is similar to human teeth for practicing. A cover or curtain can be provided to conceal the dental model such that the user is required to practice cleaning under more realistic circumstances. A cover sensor can be provided to determine if the dental model is concealed and the feedback adapted accordingly.

Figure 10 shows a representation of a display 64 for feedback to the user. A schematic 80 of the teeth 4 in the dental model 14 is provided, and in the illustrated example a representation of the floss 82 gives an indication of a particular tooth 4 being flossed. The display in the illustrated example presents feedback on a tooth by tooth basis in some of the different possible formats. The feedback to the user can be provided in the form of a score 84. The score can depend on the level of contact between a tooth 4 and the floss 8; 100% contact in the interdental area can produce a 100% score. The scoring can also take more factors into account, such as how long the flossing continues, the pressure applied to the tooth surface (in case the floss sensors 6 provide a measure of the pressure sensed), the presence of a cover concealing the dental model, a signal from a gum sensor and/or additional brushing. The scoring system can also be adjusted to encourage a particular flossing behaviour, for example by giving greater weight to flossing in the area between the teeth near the gum (in order to encourage gum disease prevention) and/or near the crown where the teeth touch (in order to encourage plaque removal where it is especially prone to accumulate) and/or flossing at the back of the mouth (in order to encourage flossing in regions that are particularly difficult to reach). The feedback to the user can also or alternatively be provided in a bar format 86, as a needle indicator 88, in a traffic light format 90, and/or with a textual evaluation comment 92 such as “Nice flossing!”.

Figure 11 shows a further example of a representation of a display 64 for feedback to the user. A schematic 80 of the teeth 4 in the dental model 14 (here only a dental quadrant) is provided, and a representation of the floss 82 gives an indication of a particular tooth 4 being flossed. The display in the illustrated example presents feedback 94 96 on a tooth by tooth basis as well as on a cumulative basis, as an average. The cleaning performance is also indicated in the schematic 80 of the teeth 4 by a colouring (e.g. red for scores below 50%, amber for scores between 50 and 75%, and green for scores above 75%. The individual scores are indicated with reference to a tooth number as is indicated in the schematic 80.

The flossing action of a user as sensed by the apparatus can be evaluated and fed back to the user in real time. Alternatively or additionally the flossing data can be stored for later review and evaluation. The processor can generate a reconstruction of the flossing action of the user based on the data and play back a flossing event. This can enable a trainer to review flossing and progress of a user. A user can also review his progress himself over time.

The dental health educational apparatus can be provided as a toy. The dental health educational apparatus can be for use for example in waiting rooms of dental practices, at schools, at hospitals and public health centres, as well as for home use.

It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Reference numerals appearing in the claims are by way of illustration only and shall have no limiting effect on the scope of the claims.

Claims (47)

Claims

1. A dental health educational apparatus comprising a dental model adapted to sense a cleaning tool in an interdental area; and an output adapted to output a signal in dependence on the presence of the cleaning tool in the interdental area.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the cleaning tool is at least one of: floss; an interdental brush; a floss pick; a floss holder; and a tooth brush.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensing comprises sensing the extent of contact between the cleaning tool and the dental model in the interdental area.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein for sensing the extent of contact a first sensor is positioned on the buccal side of a tooth in the dental model and a second sensor is positioned on the lingual side of that tooth.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, further comprising a third sensor positioned on the proximal side of the tooth.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, further comprising a plurality of sensors on the buccal side of a tooth and/or a plurality of sensors on the lingual side of a tooth and/or a plurality of sensors on the or a proximal side of the tooth.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing further comprises sensing the interdental position of the cleaning tool.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein for sensing the interdental position one or more coronal sensors are positioned on the coronal side of a tooth and one or more gingival sensors are positioned on the gingival side of the tooth.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, further comprising a further plurality of sensors positioned at a further cervical height.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing further comprises sensing the pressure applied by the cleaning tool to the dental model.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing further comprises sensing cleaning in a gum region of the dental model.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein for sensing the cleaning in the gum region one or more gum sensors are positioned in the gum region.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing comprises closing an electrical circuit by the cleaning tool.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the cleaning tool is electrically conductive.

15. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the sensing comprises capacitive, piezoresistive, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, optical, magnetic, inductance, resistance, or potentiometric sensing of the cleaning tool.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a means for concealment of the dental model from view.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the sensing further comprises sensing concealment of the dental model.

18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein for sensing concealment a concealment sensor is arranged to detect the means for concealment.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensing further comprises sensing brushing of the dental model.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein for sensing brushing one or more brush sensors are positioned on a tooth of the dental model.

21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of interchangeable dental models.

22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the dental model is at least one of: a dental model with child dentation, a dental model with adult dentation, an enlarged scale dental model, a natural scale dental model, a dental arch, both dental arches, a dental quadrant, a partial dental quadrant, and two adjacent teeth.

23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the output is adapted to output at least one of: a light; a sound; a graphical display; and a textual instruction.

24. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the output is adapted to vary in dependence on a performance sensed by a sensor.

25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a light arranged near the interdental space to provide an output.

26. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a speaker arranged to provide a sound.

27. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the output is embedded in the dental model.

28. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a processor adapted to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on sensor data.

29. Apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive and/or record and/or store and/or transmit sensor data and/or evaluation data.

30. Apparatus according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein the processor is further adapted to display a graphical display of the evaluation.

31. Apparatus according to any of Claims 28 to 30, wherein the processor is adapted to provide instruction in a teaching mode and/or to evaluate cleaning in a competitive mode.

32. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a transmitter adapted to transmit sensor data to a processor for evaluation.

33. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a base adapted to receive the dental model.

34. Apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the base comprises a holder for a cleaning tool and optionally a holder for a tooth brush and/or an interdental brush.

35. Apparatus according to Claim 33 or 34, wherein the base comprises a processor according to any of Claims 28 to 31.

36. Apparatus according to any of Claims 33 to 35 wherein the output is embedded in the base.

37. A processor adapted to receive sensor data from dental health educational apparatus according to Claim 32 and to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on the sensor data.

38. A processor according to Claim 37, wherein the processor is further adapted to record and/or store and/or transmit sensor data and/or evaluation data.

39. A processor according to any of Claims 36 to 38, wherein the processor is further adapted to display a graphical display of the evaluation.

40. A processor according to any of Claims 36 to 39, wherein the processor is adapted to provide instruction in a teaching mode and/or to evaluate cleaning in a competitive mode.

41. Software adapted to receive sensor data from a dental health educational apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 36.

42. Software for a dental health educational apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 36 adapted to evaluate cleaning in the interdental area in dependence on sensor data.

43. A system comprising a dental health educational apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 36, a processor according to any of Claims 37 to 40 and optionally software according to Claim 41 or 42.

44. A method of using a dental health educational apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 36 to sense cleaning.

45. Software for a dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

46. A method of using a dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

47. A dental health educational apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.