Custom-designed dental floss holder

Independent use of dental floss for a person with impaired hand function

Description
Dental floss holder consists of a purchased dental floss loop that sits in a custom-designed extended and bent handle made of orthotic material. The handle sits in a universal strap. The universal strap is an adjustable Velcro strap for various hand sizes. It has an elastic pocket in which flatware, typing sticks, etc, can be inserted.
When the dental floss loop points downwards the user cleans his lower teeth. To turn the loop he pulls it out of the handle a bit with his teeth, turns it downward with his mouth and puts it in place again.

Model: Dental floss loop: Plackers dental floss with holder

Universal strap: Flatware holder from Swereco or flatware grip "Bestickgrepp" from Varsam.

Build instructions
Shape a handle bent at a 90-degree angle for the dental floss loop from orthotic material and make a hole using the dental floss holder.

Manufacturer
Carin Bergfeldt, occupational therapist

Purchased from
Pharmacy (dental floss loop); Swereco, www.swereco.se/detect_lang.php?lang=en or Varsam, www.varsam.se/shop/ (universal strap), last checked March 2011.

Idea
User together with occupational therapist Carin Bergfeldt

Paid for by
County Council (universal strap)

Tip is dated from 2007

Categories for this tip
self care » body care, Tips and tricks from people with High tetraplegia with partly function in arms/hands (C5-6, ASIA A, B).