Transforming Oral Hygiene for Kids with AR Technology

FOCI is an AI-powered analog clock designed to help long-distance couples stay connected

DENTIA

Overview

Making Brushing Fun Through Interactive AR Design

Dentia is an AR-powered toothbrush system designed to make oral hygiene fun and engaging for children. By combining smart mirror technology with real-time animated feedback, Dentia transforms brushing routines into interactive experiences that encourage consistency, improve technique, and build healthy habits early on

Project Scope

PROJECT TYPE

Physical Product

TEAM

Individual Project, Advisor Dosun Shin

ROLE

As the sole designer, I led the project from research through final prototyping. I conducted user research, developed the concept, created the visual and physical design, and iterated based on mentor feedback to refine functionality and ergonomics

TIME

6-months project

TOOLS

Figma, SolidWorks, Fusion360, KeyShot, Photoshop

PROJECT GOAL

To improve children's oral hygiene habits by transforming brushing routines into fun, interactive experiences using AR technology and real-time feedback

Forecasted Impact*

Dentia motivates consistent and effective brushing in children, reducing oral health issues over time. By making hygiene enjoyable, it encourages habit formation and empowers parents to track and personalize their child’s brushing experience

*This is a conceptual project developed as a bachelor’s thesis. The impact is based on user research and design testing, not clinical trials

Problem Discovery

Brushing Feels Like a Chore, Not a Habit

Children often find brushing boring, leading to poor hygiene habits. Observations and interviews revealed that traditional methods like reminders and timers fail to keep them engaged. Research also shows a decline in brushing consistency as kids grow older, pointing to the need for a more interactive solution

Solution - Dentia

Building Lifelong Oral Hygiene Habits Through Fun and Learning

Dentia is an AR-powered toothbrush system that transforms brushing into an engaging, interactive experience. A smart mirror display syncs with brushing motions to provide real-time feedback, helping kids brush thoroughly and consistently. By guiding technique and making routines enjoyable, Dentia encourages healthy, lasting habits

System

Smart, Interactive Brushing for Better Habits

Dentia features a smart mirror display with AR animations that sync with brushing motions, giving kids real-time feedback. Motion detection helps guide them to missed areas, making brushing more thorough and engaging

App

Track and Personalize the Experience

The Dentia app allows parents to monitor brushing habits, adjust content, and personalize sessions. It ensures the experience stays fun, effective, and tailored to each child’s needs

PROCESS•

Existing Methods

Traditional Approaches to Children's Oral Hygiene

Manual Brushing

Most children are taught to brush twice a day through verbal reminders. However, studies show they often miss key areas like the inner surfaces, focusing mostly on the outer teeth (BioMed Central)

Educational Materials

Dentists typically rely on verbal or written instructions. These methods are less engaging and have been shown to be less effective at reducing plaque compared to interactive tools (SpringerLink)

Routine Monitoring

Parents often remind children to brush, but this passive approach lacks engagement. Research found that 24.5% of children lose motivation when brushing becomes a repetitive task (MDPI)

Survey with Parents

Insights from 89 Parents on Young Children’s Brushing Habits

For my research, I surveyed 89 parents of children aged 2–8 in Turkey

The results reflect cultural behaviors that may differ from those in other regions*

Interview with a Child Development Specialist

Understanding Hygiene and Learning in Early Childhood

Özge Selçuk Bozkurt, Child Development Specialist

Play During Hygiene Routines

"Kids often spend a lot of time playing with water while washing their hands"

Age-Based Behavioral Differences

"Children in the older age group begin to follow rules more closely, while younger children are more egocentric and prefer to do things their own way"

Learning Preferences in Early Childhood

"Young children start to enjoy picture books and listening to short rhymes"

Actionable Insights

Based on Research, Surveys, and Expert Interviews

Make Brushing Visually Engaging and Playful

Use bold visuals and interactive AR to make brushing fun, especially for kids under 6

🧸

Empower Parents with Tracking Tools

Include tracking and customization tools to help parents monitor and guide brushing habits

📲

Support Consistent Habit Formation

Create features that help kids aged 2 to 9 develop consistent brushing routines

🪥

Gamify the Full Brushing Duration

Add songs, characters, and playful feedback to keep kids brushing for the full duration

🎮

Insight

AR and Apps Improve Brushing Engagement in Young Children

Augmented Reality and mobile apps are effective tools for promoting better hygiene habits in children aged 3–7. AR boosts engagement and learning, especially when paired with age-appropriate characters. As preferences evolve from playful figures to heroes like Batman by age 6, interactive experiences with real-time feedback help make brushing routines more fun and consistent

Interactive Feedback Inspired by PlayStation Move

Dentia uses motion sensors similar to PlayStation Move to detect brushing movements in real time. This enables accurate tracking and responsive AR feedback for an engaging brushing experience

Brainstorming With Possible AR Integrated Device

Dentia uses motion sensors similar to PlayStation Move to detect brushing movements in real time. This enables accurate tracking and responsive AR feedback for an engaging brushing experience

Quick Mockups

**Future Iterations Should Prioritize Space Efficiency, Modular Design, And Adaptability To Better Accommodate Diverse User Environments

Ideation

Initial Concept

An interactive brushing system combining a motion-sensor toothbrush, adjustable smart mirror, and stable suction base to make oral care fun and effective for children