Toothsure
The Forgotten Part of Patient Care That Could Change Healthcare

For years, oral care in hospitals has remained a deceptively simple challenge with complex consequences. The traditional tools used at the bedside often require multiple components, preparation steps, and caregiver involvement, an approach that can be difficult to sustain in high-pressure clinical environments where nurses are already balancing critical patient needs.

That challenge becomes even more significant in intensive care units, where vulnerable patients face an increased risk of complications, including hospital-acquired pneumonia. While oral hygiene is a recognized part of preventive care, the realities of hospital workflows can make consistent implementation difficult. For nurses managing medications, monitoring equipment, documentation, and urgent interventions, adding a time-intensive oral care routine can become another operational burden.

Toothsure was built to address that gap. Rather than viewing oral care as a routine nursing task, the Kentucky-based early-stage medical device company is rethinking oral care by developing solutions designed to simplify the process for healthcare providers while giving patients greater independence wherever possible.

Its flagship products, OralVac and OralVac+, combine brushing, rinse delivery, and suction capabilities into a single, pre-filled system designed for different patient populations across healthcare settings. The company’s broader vision is straightforward: transform oral care from an overlooked routine into a more efficient, accessible part of patient care.

“The problem wasn’t awareness of oral care; it was that traditional approaches didn’t fit the realities of healthcare,” says Dr. Greg Baker, co-founder and CEO. “We wanted to create a solution that makes high-quality oral care easier to provide, easier to receive, and easier to sustain.”

A Dentist’s Search for a Better Way to Deliver Oral Care

Baker spent nearly four decades practicing dentistry and conducting examinations in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Throughout that time, he repeatedly encountered the same challenge: patients wanted to maintain their oral hygiene, but traditional approaches often depended on mobility, equipment, or caregiver availability that they did not always have.

Patients who were bedridden could not easily access sinks. Older adults in nursing facilities often depended on caregivers who were already managing extensive responsibilities. Hospital patients recovering from illness or surgery faced similar barriers.

With a background in dentistry and engineering, he started developing the concept behind what would become Toothsure: a self-contained oral care system that could eliminate unnecessary steps while allowing patients to participate more independently.

“The whole idea was that I wanted something that was pre-loaded, and you don’t have to have access to a sink,” Baker says. “You can use this toothbrush anywhere because everything you need is already there.”

The concept evolved through feedback from patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. What began as a solution for everyday convenience eventually revealed broader applications in hospitals and long-term care environments, where accessibility and workflow efficiency remain persistent challenges.

Turning a Basic Hygiene Challenge into a Medical Device Platform

Toothsure’s products are designed around the belief that improving healthcare often starts by simplifying existing processes.

The company’s OralVac system combines several traditionally separate steps into one disposable device. Instead of requiring toothpaste, rinse, water, a basin, and additional cleanup, the pre-filled toothbrush allows users to dispense rinse, perform cleaning, and remove debris through integrated suction.

For non-ICU patients, OralVac is designed to support greater independence. Patients who are able can perform oral care themselves, while caregivers can assist when necessary.

For intensive care settings, Toothsure developed OralVac+, a more specialized version designed for critically ill patients, including those who are intubated or have limited ability to protect their airway.

The ICU environment presents unique challenges. Patients often have reduced swallowing ability and may be more vulnerable to complications associated with fluid management. To address this, OralVac+ incorporates controlled fluid delivery, allowing healthcare providers to administer measured amounts during oral care.

“The biggest thing is we know exactly how much we are giving the patient,” Baker says. “Too much rinse can create problems, so controlling that process is extremely important.”

Engineering Simplicity into Critical Care

While the device’s design is straightforward, its purpose is closely connected to the realities of clinical care.

One of Toothsure’s key differentiators is its waterless approach. Patients who cannot leave their beds or safely move to a bathroom can complete oral care without requiring additional equipment or movement.

The integrated suction feature is particularly important for ICU applications. Rather than relying on separate suction tools during oral care, OralVac+ combines these functions into one workflow.

For Brandon M. Wilde, co-founder and chief medical officer, the company’s innovation is not about adding complexity to healthcare; it is about removing it.

“Hospital-acquired pneumonia remains one of the significant challenges facing healthcare systems, and oral care is an important part of addressing that challenge,” he says. “Our focus has been creating a solution that makes oral care easier for both patients and providers.”

That focus on usability is central to Toothsure’s approach. The founders believe that even clinically valuable solutions will struggle to achieve adoption if they create additional burdens for healthcare teams.

Why Workflow May Be the Biggest Innovation

Healthcare providers operate in environments where time is one of the most limited resources. Toothsure believes that reducing the number of steps required for oral care can help improve consistency.

Traditional oral care protocols may involve multiple products and preparation steps. In busy hospital settings, those additional requirements can make it more difficult for providers to perform care as frequently as intended.

By combining multiple functions into a single system, Toothsure aims to make oral care a more practical part of everyday clinical workflows.

“If you make something simpler and easier to use, it makes the caregiver more likely to actually use it,” Baker says. “When compliance improves, outcomes have the opportunity to improve as well.”

The company’s approach reflects a broader shift in healthcare innovation: technology does not always need to add more features. Sometimes, its greatest value comes from reducing friction.

Beyond the ICU: Expanding the Future of Oral Care

Although hospitals and intensive care units represent Toothsure’s initial focus, the company sees applications across multiple healthcare environments.

Long-term care facilities represent one major opportunity. Many residents have limited mobility and depend heavily on caregivers for daily activities. A self-contained oral care system could allow more patients to participate in their own hygiene routines.

Rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare environments offer similar opportunities.

Toothsure is also exploring future dental applications, including potential uses in preventive care and fluoride treatments. The founders believe that simplicity, accessibility, and convenience can translate across different settings.

The company has also identified potential applications in military environments, where portable and self-contained hygiene solutions can provide value in situations where traditional resources may not be available.

Building Toward Commercial Scale

As Toothsure moves toward broader adoption, the company is focused on building the infrastructure needed to support growth.

The company has received support for establishing a manufacturing facility in Eastern Kentucky, where Baker hopes to consolidate portions of the supply chain while creating skilled manufacturing opportunities in his home region.

Beyond manufacturing, the company is working to expand healthcare access through industry partnerships. Toothsure has received an invitation to present its technology at Vizient’s Technology Expo, a significant healthcare purchasing event that connects medical technology companies with hospitals and health systems.

Toothsure has received an invitation to present its technology at Vizient’s Technology Expo, a significant healthcare purchasing event that connects medical technology companies with hospitals and health systems.

For an early-stage medical device company, access to healthcare purchasing networks represents an important step toward commercialization.

“We view Vizient adoption as a key commercial milestone on the path to scale,” Baker says.

For Baker and Wilde, the long-term goal is bigger than a single device. They want Toothsure to become a new standard for oral care across healthcare settings. The company’s story reflects a broader lesson in medical innovation: some of the most meaningful improvements do not come from making healthcare more complicated. They come from identifying overlooked challenges and finding simpler ways to solve them.