South Middlesex Times

A Rutgers professor has developed an innovative toothbrush designed to address the health concerns associated with swallowing toothpaste. Maxine Strickland, an associate professor of diagnostic sciences at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, introduced MaxVac, a powered toothbrush with both brushing and suctioning capabilities.

The invention is particularly beneficial for individuals who may inadvertently ingest harmful materials during brushing, such as children and those with special care needs. "MaxVac removes potentially harmful and infectious materials … and thereby can be very useful for the elderly and disabled, in nursing or hospital settings, in dental clinics, for young children, and routine home use," officials at the Rutgers Office for Research stated.

Strickland's journey began in the late 1990s when she worked in pediatric dentistry and helped establish a clinic for disabled patients. Her experience highlighted the need for an intervention to assist patients with swallowing difficulties. Inspired by dentists using suction devices during treatments, Strickland questioned why these features couldn't be combined into one tool.

With support from a Rutgers TechAdvance grant and collaboration with engineers, Strickland transformed her concept into a practical device. The initial version was an attachment for existing toothbrushes that received a patent in May. Subsequent iterations were developed with National Science Foundation funding, resulting in standalone versions designed to remove liquids effectively from the mouth.

Reflecting on her unexpected role as an inventor, Strickland remarked, “Honestly, I had never really thought about being an inventor... It’s been a nice, exciting venture trying to reduce some of the anxiety and give dignity to the patients.”

Looking ahead, Strickland plans to pilot MaxVac in hospitals by 2026. She aims to expand its availability further so it becomes accessible alongside conventional dental products and useful in diverse environments like hiking trips or space missions.

“It was exciting to think about these applications,” she said. “As a dentist, it’s encouraging and inspiring that this product can make a difference, and I’m hoping various populations can use it."