Toothsure Innovates Hospital Oral Care to Prevent Pneumonia

A new startup based in Hazard, Kentucky, Toothsure, is tackling a critical issue in healthcare: hospital-acquired pneumonia. This infection, often preventable, is the number one hospital-acquired infection in the United States and frequently originates from poor oral care Source.

Toothsure was founded by Dr. Greg Baker, a dentist with 37 years of experience in ICUs and nursing homes, who observed a consistent pattern of hospital patients developing infections due to poor oral hygiene. His personal experience of his mother receiving inadequate oral care in an ICU further motivated him to create a solution.

The Problem with Current Hospital Oral Care

Nurses and critical care staff often find current oral care products cumbersome and inefficient. Existing 24-hour kits are complex, requiring multiple steps, and often go underutilized because nurses have extensive responsibilities. This inadequacy can lead to serious consequences, as patients who are intubated or unconscious cannot perform their own oral care, leaving the task to already busy staff Source.

Dr. Brandon Wilde, Toothsure's CMO and an aspiring critical care physician, highlights that out of 30 to 40 million hospital admissions annually in the US, about half a percent develop hospital-acquired pneumonia. This translates to thousands of preventable deaths each year.

Toothsure's Solution: OralVac and OralVac+

After two years of gathering feedback from ICU nurses, Dr. Baker and his engineering team developed OralVac and OralVac+. These devices are designed to be user-friendly and efficient, addressing the primary complaints about existing solutions.

Key Features of Toothsure's Devices

• Preloaded: Unlike current products that require manual loading, OralVac and OralVac+ come preloaded, simplifying the process for nurses.
• Measured-Dose Delivery: The devices offer controlled delivery of fluids, preventing the risk of aspiration or adverse effects from too much rinse.
• Suction Feature: An integrated suction capability allows nurses to easily remove fluids, minimizing the risk of fluid entering a patient's lungs.
• Familiar Design: Designed to resemble a familiar toothbrush, the device aims to reduce the learning curve for staff.
• Disposable and Recyclable: The products are disposable, ensuring hygiene, and recyclable.
• Sponge Head Option: For edentulous patients or those needing mucosal hydration, a sponge head option is available to prevent dry mouth (xerostomia).

This design directly addresses the feedback from nurses who found previous tools outdated and inconvenient. Hospitals and executives have expressed interest in trying the product, recognizing its potential to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Funding and Manufacturing

Toothsure's journey from a concept to a medical device company has involved self-funding, investment from Keyhorse Capital, and a significant seven-figure state grant. The company is also establishing a $7.3 million manufacturing facility in Perry County, Kentucky, which is expected to create 60 local jobs. Toothsure is targeting FDA clearance for its combination drug-device by Q4 2026 Source.

This initiative embodies a commitment to local economic development and proving that world-class medical devices can originate from Eastern Kentucky.