Toothbrush Redesign using S.C.A.M.P.E.R: A Creative Approach

This assignment focuses on redesigning a toothbrush using the S.C.A.M.P.E.R technique, which involves substituting, combining, adapting, modifying, putting to other uses, eliminating, and rearranging elements of the toothbrush design. Several ideas are proposed, such as substituting plastic handles ...Read More

Running head: CREATIVITY
Creativity: Redesigning a Toothbrush
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Task 1: S.C.A.M.P.E.R........................................................................................................2
1.1. S.C.A.M.P.E.R..........................................................................................................2
1.1.1. S-Substitute........................................................................................................2
1.1.2. C-Combine.........................................................................................................2
1.1.3. A-Adapt.............................................................................................................3
1.1.4. M- Magnify/Modify...........................................................................................3
1.1.5. P- Put to Other Uses..........................................................................................4
1.1.6. E-Eliminate........................................................................................................4
1.1.7. Rearrange/Reverse.............................................................................................4
Task 2: BEST IDEA............................................................................................................6
2.1. Justification...............................................................................................................6
2.2. Reasons.....................................................................................................................6
2.3. Why other ideas not considered?..............................................................................7
References............................................................................................................................9

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Task 1: S.C.A.M.P.E.R
S.C.A.M.P.E.R is a brainstorming technique that makes use of a set of directed questions,
which in turn helps in solving a problem. A problem can be defined as a situation where an issue
remains unresolved making it difficult to accomplish a desired objective.
In this task, the S.C.A.M.P.E.R technique will be used to propose ideas of improving the
design of a toothbrush. S.C.A.M.P.E.R stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Magnify, Put to
other uses, Eliminate and Rearrange. The each letter of the S.C.A.M.P.E.R will be evaluated in
this task in order to propose an alternative solution for the normal design of a toothbrush.
1.1. S.C.A.M.P.E.R
1.1.1. S-Substitute
The recommendations for substituting a part of the toothbrush are as follows-
1. Substituting the brush handle with glass- this is recommended as toothbrush handles
are mainly made of plastic, which is not environment friendly. Substituting it with unbreakable
glass can solve the problem.
2. Substituting the Toothbrush head with removable bristles- Instead of having a fixed
head, a toothbrush can have a technique of removable bristles so that the toothbrush handle can
be reused.
1.1.2. C-Combine
The recommendations for combining different parts of a toothbrush are as follows-

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1. Combining the toothbrush handle with the folding technique in order to design a travel
friendly toothbrush.
2. The handle of the toothbrush can be combined with a toothpaste squeezer so that it is
easier to squeeze out the paste from the tube.
1.1.3. A-Adapt
The recommendations for adapting a toothbrush parts or design are as follows-
1. The toothbrush can be adapted for cleaning works after it is worn out. The use of good
quality nylon can help in providing an option for reusing the toothbrush for cleaning the areas or
articles of the house which is inaccessible by other cleaning elements.
2. The handle of the toothbrush should be made of recyclable material so that it is not
wasted.
1.1.4. M- Magnify/Modify
The recommendations for modifying or magnifying a part of the toothbrush are as
follows-
1. Certain modifications can be made on the tooth brush, such as Bluetooth connectivity
feature so that one can listen to songs while brushing or can even take a phone call. Alternatively
a little radio can be added as well in order to make the entire task of brushing even more
interesting.
2. The shape of a toothbrush head can be modified so that the brushing experience can be
made interesting for kids, like it can be in a shape of famous cartoon character say Jerry the

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mouse. Also, the bright coloured bristles will help in making the task of brushing more
interesting for kids, considering the fact that many children do not brush their teeth on their own.
1.1.5. P- Put to Other Uses
The recommendations for putting a toothbrush to other uses are as follows-
1. The toothbrush can be modified for children by making it a learning device. The
toothbrush can be digitalized so that it is able to play rhymes and alphabets which kids can learn.
This type of toothbrush will only target the children and not all age groups.
2. A toothbrush can be put to use for monitoring the dental hygiene. This can be
monitored with the help of an application.
1.1.6. E-Eliminate
The recommendations for eliminating a part of the toothbrush are as follows-
1. The plastic part of the toothbrush can be eliminated for making is more environmental
friendly
2. The nylon bristles of the toothbrush can be eliminated and can be replaced by a more
natural component, such as animal hair. Hog or badger hair can be considered for making the
bristles of the toothbrush.
1.1.7. Rearrange/Reverse
The recommendations for rearranging a part of the toothbrush are as follows-

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1. The design can be rearranged with the handle being a small orb and bristle at the
center, which will make the design more attractive. It can be folded into a ball too if required.
2. The shape of the bristles can be rearranged into a more attractive design or into a
design more innovative such as in a design of a tooth.

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Task 2: BEST IDEA
Chosen Idea
The idea of using the toothbrush as a tool for monitoring the oral hygiene is considered to be the
best idea in this case.
2.1. Justification
This is chosen as the best alternative idea as oral hygiene is one of the significant
concerns across the world. The digital toothbrush will be an excellent example of combining
technology with a daily task which will address oral hygiene. Therefore the idea of putting the
toothbrush to another use apart from brushing the teeth is considered to be the best idea against
the other alternative choices that is identified in the previous section.
2.2. Reasons
There are a number of advantages as well as disadvantages of making use of digital
toothbrushes. The pros and cons associated with the use of digital toothbrush are discussed in the
following section.
Pros
There are a number of benefits of making use of digital toothbrush which are as follows
(Graetz et al., 2013)-
1. The use of electronic toothbrushes can help in improving the brushing habits of the
individuals as one can monitor their oral health from their smartphone. The sensors in the
toothbrush will also help in directing the people about proper ways of brushing the teeth. The

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timers fitted can further help a person to keep a track of how long they are brushing (Erbe et al.,
2013).
2. The digital toothbrush can notify a person when to visit a dentist.
However, there are a number of issues associated with the use of digital toothbrush,
which are discussed in the following section.
Cons
The disadvantages associated with the idea of making use of digital toothbrush are as
follows (Kremer, Toh & Miller, 2013)-
1. The cost of a toothbrush will shoot up with the use of digital toothbrushes.
2. Improper brushing of the teeth with electronic toothbrush often results in damage of
the gums leading in enamel abrasions.
3. The digital toothbrush is needed to be charged in a regular interval which is an issue.
2.3. Why other ideas not considered?
Several ideas have been proposed in the previous part for modifying the design of a
toothbrush. The first one proposes substituting the handle of the toothbrush with glass or having
a removable bristles. This is a very simple idea and therefore is not considered. The folding
technique and toothpaste squeezer although is a good idea, has limited usage and therefore both
of these ideas cannot be considered as best idea. The idea of use of toothbrush for cleaning
purpose and making use of recyclable handle is too basic and therefore not considered. The idea
of modification of toothbrush into a radio device or making it able to receive calls are considered

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to be redundant and it will in turn increase the complexity of the toothbrush as well and therefore
this idea is not considered. The modification in the shape of toothbrush is a basic idea as well
and hence it is not considered. People brush for hardly two minutes, two times a day and
therefore idea of turning it into a learning device will be redundant considering the very little
time a child spend with its toothbrush. Finally, the idea of eliminating the plastic parts or the
toothbrush or eliminating the nylon bristles is too simple as well and therefore it is not
considered. The practical viability of the idea proposed for rearranging the design of the
toothbrush is not known and therefore this idea is not considered.

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References
Erbe, C., Klukowska, M., Tsaknaki, I., Timm, H., Grender, J., & Wehrbein, H. (2013). Efficacy
of 3 toothbrush treatments on plaque removal in orthodontic patients assessed with digital
plaque imaging: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopedics, 143(6), 760-766.
Graetz, C., Bielfeldt, J., Wolff, L., Springer, C., Fawzy El-Sayed, K. M., Sälzer, S., ... & Dörfer,
C. E. (2013). Toothbrushing education via a smart software visualization system. Journal
of periodontology, 84(2), 186-195.
Kremer, G. E. O., Toh, C., & Miller, S. (2013). The Role of Personality and Team-based Product
Dissection on Fixation Effects.