CASE STUDY Dentherapy Ltd - Pioneering Oral Care Innovation

Dentherapy Ltd, an Aberdeen-based life sciences company, is developing therapeutic products for the global oral care market. Co-founded by CEO Carol Rafferty and Director Katherine Thom, they’ve built an experienced team of biochemists, oral care industry experts, key opinion leaders and academics who share their passion for bringing new solutions to address the oral health needs of individuals at all stages of life.

Dentherapy has benefitted from various Opportunity North East (ONE) opportunities and support including being part of the Start-Up Accelerator Programme, providing them with invaluable insights into market dynamics and consumer discovery, with dental professionals and patients. Validating the need for an on-the-go product, designed to “boost care between brushing”.

This allowed them to define their beachhead market, and early adopters and develop Toothboost®️ Technology a proprietary therapeutic formulation, to support whole mouth care.

Carol Rafferty said, “The north east has a unique life science community which has been nurtured and supported by ONE Life Sciences. ONE has been a catalyst for bringing together scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs working to translate their research into market ready products or technologies.

ONE has enabled us to connect and collaborate with other companies in the sector and to share the challenges and opportunities of our respective projects.

Carol recently attended ‘The ADA Forsyth Institute’s Dentech Conference’ in Cambridge, Massachusetts in October 2023 and was one of 16 global companies (selected from 65 applicants) to present their novel product, Toothboost Oral Mist, an easy-to-use no-rinse spray, designed for ‘frequent use’ after sugar or acidic snacks, foods, and drinks. The unique ingredients also support healthy oral microbiome while reducing plaque build-up.

Dentech is the leading oral health innovation conference in the US, bringing together research, industry, academics, and venture capitalists, with the aim to accelerate innovation and launch new ventures in the oral health space.

Carol commented, “As a dental hygienist and co-founder, it was inspiring to meet the other participants and industry leaders and to reflect that Toothboost Oral Mist meets the need for innovative self-care products, with the potential to support both oral and systemic health. We are following up a number of interests and commercial opportunities after taking part in the conference”.

The support from ONE has given us the confidence to expand our horizons and pursue opportunities such as Dentech. They've not only provided invaluable guidance and preparation on pitching our product, but also emphasised the importance of prioritising our consumers, and how to strategically position ourselves in the market.”

Dentherapy’s plan for 2024 is to manufacture, launch and commercialise Toothboost Oral Mist their initial product. Carol is focused on gaining dental professional endorsement, as part of their marketing strategy, alongside establishing their direct-to-consumer, on-line sales platform for initial launch in UK and EU ahead of launching in the US and other global markets.

Carol further commented, “ONE BioHub is a fantastic facility, which embodies the region’s inclusive and collaborative approach, helping to grow the sector’s early-stage companies - including companies like Dentherapy who uniquely had to ‘spin-in’ to universities, to access academic resources.”

For further information on ONE BioHub and ONE Life Sciences visit the ONE BioHub website.