Knowledge Translation in Action For Dr. Doyle, the experience represented a high point in translating academic knowledge into real-world impact. “This was my best example of knowledge translation,” she says. “Instead of focusing on an article in a scientific publication, we pursued funding to make this a reality. The result has been far more tangible and meaningful.” Based at the IWK Health Centre, Atlantic Canada’s largest pediatric hospital, Dr. Doyle sees a large population of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities—patients who often face significant oral care challenges at home. “I get calls and emails all the time from parents and caregivers asking what they can do to help with home care,” says Dr. Doyle. “Many of these children have taste sensitivities, oral aversions, or are completely uncooperative with toothbrushing. It’s a daily battle for parents.” Funding from the IWK Health and the Thistledown Charitable Foundation made procuring the kits possible. tell parents what to do. You have to show them, and you have to equip them.” Discovering Adaptive Tools That Work Among the most effective adaptive oral health tools were three-sided toothbrushes that clean multiple surfaces of the tooth simultaneously, non-flavoured fluoride toothpaste that reduced sensory discomfort, and an innovative flossing device called “gum chucks,” which resemble tiny nunchucks and allow for improved dexterity. Dr. McNutt found these especially compelling. “They were probably my favourite discovery,” she says. “They make flossing easier and more fun, especially for people who struggle with manual dexterity.” Dr. Doyle confirmed that the gum chucks have been a standout success. “For some, traditional flossing can be nearly impossible,” she notes. “Even floss picks can be a challenge. They are especially helpful for those hard-toreach posterior areas of the mouth.” Education Meets Empowerment Each kit is tailored to the needs of the individual child and includes more than just innovative products. Dr. McNutt also developed a colourful brochure with instructions for positioning, frequency and general diet and hygiene advice. “There’s a little hourglass timer to encourage brushing for a full two minutes, advice about drinking fluoridated water, and general dietary recommendations,” she says. “We wanted to provide both the tools and the education.” It was apparent that caregivers are actively looking for information and support. But often, they can’t implement the advice they’re given because they lack the tools or don’t know how to apply them effectively. Researching the Need Dr. Doyle tasked Dr. McNutt with identifying available tools and resources that could help make at-home care easier and more effective. Together, they approached the issue from multiple angles: distributing a survey to members of the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (CAPD) and the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH), conducting market research, and reviewing online blogs and caregiver forums to find innovative products. Although the response rate to the survey was modest, the data was clear. “It was apparent that caregivers are actively looking for information and support,” Dr. McNutt says. “But often, they can’t implement the advice they’re given because they lack the tools or don’t know how to apply them effectively. We learned that it’s not enough to Three-sided toothbrush that cleans multiple surfaces of the tooth simultaneously. 21 Issue 5 | 2025 | Issues and People
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