DeCare Sponsors Dental Dragon’s Den: A Celebration of Innovation and Talent

DeCare was proud to sponsor this year’s Dental Dragon’s Den, held at Cathal Brugha FET, where second-year dental nursing students stepped up to the challenge with innovative, thoughtful, and creative solutions aimed at enhancing dental care and patient experience.

The event brought a unique twist to the classic entrepreneurial “Dragon’s Den” format—students pitched their ideas to a panel of four judges, including DeCare’s Wellness and Health Promotion Manager, David Casey, who was honoured to represent DeCare at this inspiring showcase. Students were assessed on various aspects of their design thinking, product development, and presentation skills.

David shared his thoughts after the event, saying:

“The students showed amazing talent and innovative energy on the day. Their passion for improving oral health and the patient experience was clear in every project. It’s exciting to see the next generation of dental professionals thinking so far outside the box.”

The Projects: Passion Meets Purpose

Each student presented a unique prototype, and the ideas were as diverse as they were impactful:

• Caitlin – PregnaCare Oral Kit
  Caitlin designed a dental kit tailored specifically for pregnant people. Including essentials like a soft toothbrush, floss, interdental brushes, Perio kin gel, and a detailed leaflet, her kit promotes oral health during pregnancy in a user-friendly way.
• Abbie – Smile Bright
  Abbie focused on easing dental anxiety. She created a mock-up of a website offering post-operative instructions for all dental procedures—a tool to help patients recall important advice after their visit, especially when anxiety might affect their memory.
• Rachel – SmartSmiles
  Rachel tackled the learning curve for new student dental nurses. Her prototype was a picture book with detailed surgery setup instructions, designed to build confidence and improve consistency during clinical procedures.
• Kacey – SteriSuction Tray
  Inspired by real clinic challenges, Kacey created a suction and magnetic system for secure placement of small, critical implant components. Her video featuring dentist feedback showed the potential time- and cost-saving benefits of her design.
• Sarah Jane – Brave Smiles App
  Sarah’s idea was an interactive app to educate and entertain children before visiting the dentist. With games, rewards, and visuals, the app helps reduce anxiety and encourages good oral habits in a fun, engaging way.
• Angela – Dentaplay
  Angela brought a playful twist to dental instruments, designing soft silicone characters to make tools more child-friendly. Her hands-on demo showed how easily a scary-looking instrument could become something joyful and familiar.
• Gráinne – UV-C & Heating Sterilisation Box
  Gráinne presented a solution for cleaning expensive dental loupes—a compact sterilisation box using UV-C light and gentle heating for quick, safe cleaning, with features like a built-in timer and portability.
• Marriam – Daise: Your Hands-Free Dental Assistant
  Marriam envisioned an AI voice assistant that could take clinical notes hands-free. With a prototype resembling a smart speaker, her idea was designed to improve workflow and reduce the burden of documentation for dental professionals.
• Wiktoria – Happy Teeth Classroom Kit
  Wiktoria developed an oral health education program for schools, complete with kits, posters, and games. Her project aimed to make dental education accessible and fun for young students.
• Laurice – EZGrip
  Inspired by her friend with arthritis, Laurice created a toothbrush and floss handle with an ergonomic gel grip, making oral care easier for people with mobility challenges. Her prototype was accompanied by a heartfelt video testimonial.
• Lianna – Biodegradable Kids’ Floss
  Lianna combined eco-conscious design with kid-friendly appeal. Her colourful, bamboo-handled floss included collectible prizes and fun dental facts, making flossing exciting and educational for children.
• Mirena – FluoroBrush
  Mirena’s toothbrush innovation released fluoride through the bristles when activated by water. With replaceable heads and a sleek design, it promoted fluoride usage in a simple, effective way.
• Megan – Wisdom Winnie Pillow
  The final project was a calming lavender-scented pillow shaped like a tooth and dressed as a fairy, helping children with dental anxiety feel comforted during visits. Complete with crowns and wands, the idea was full of imagination and care.

A Day to Remember

The event wasn’t just about presenting ideas—it was about celebrating creativity, problem-solving, and the passion these students have for their future careers. The judges had a tough time picking a winner, but in the end, the awards went to:

🥇 First Place: Lianna Pugacova for Biodegradable Kids’ Floss

🏅 Highly Commended: Angela Bordeianu for Dentaplay

🏅 Highly Commended: Laurice Agleam for EZGrip

At DeCare, we believe in supporting the next generation of dental professionals and promoting innovation that improves health and wellbeing. Events like Dental Dragon’s Den remind us that the future of oral health is bright, creative, and in very capable hands.