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Winning the ‘Best Educational lnnovation’ in the Dental and Oral Health Innovation category was hapTEL, a new virtual-reality, haptic (sense-of-touch) ‘dental chair’ system aimed to teach the next generation of dentists. The innovation was developed by King’s academics Professor Margaret Cox, Dr Jonathan P. San Diego and Dr Barry Quinn, and a team of over 24 clinicians, psychologists, sociologists and cyberneticists, including Professor William Harwin, Dr Alastair Barrow and Brian Tse from the University of Reading.

Using a haptic dental drill and mirror to operate on virtual teeth shown in 3D on a screen, this system allows trainee dentists to reflect what would be seen in real life, and features a foot pedal to control the speed and settings of the dental drill. Although there are competitive systems on the market, the hapTEL team’s unique software platform allows the overall unit to sell for up to £20,000 less than the nearest competitor.

Professor Margaret Cox said: “We’ve evaluated the hapTEL system in education with over 320 undergraduate and 30 postgraduate students over a two-year period, demonstrating its potential to greatly enhance clinical skills’ development and assessment, thereby having a significant impact on the global dental profession and consequently, the many patients that receive dental treatment. The hapTEL project has already been in discussions with a dental supply company and significant interest has been shown by several other companies.”

Haptics is already widely used in the multimillion dollar computer gaming industry. The technical and educational expertise and knowledge of the hapTEL team will lead to other haptic applications such as therapy for stroke victims, medical applications and educational aids for children with dyspraxia and other learning difficulties. 

The hapTEL team, led by Professor Margaret Cox, was bestowed with an additional accolade at the prestigious event, receiving the Special Award for the Best Educational Innovation. This award recognises an individual or team that has demonstrated a novel and outstanding initiative that has made a positive impact in healthcare learning amongst students at any level.

The third award, for the ‘Best Translational Research Innovation’ in the Dental and Oral Health Innovation category, was awarded to the team behind ‘Preventing cavities the SMART way’, an innovative topical gel placed around the teeth to prevent infection with the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, the main cause of dental decay. The innovation was developed by King’s Professors Charles Kelly, Thomas Lehner and Raman Bedi, and Professor Julian Ma from St George’s, University of London.  

The topical gel is the first pharmaceutical product specifically targeted against the main bacterial cause of dental decay, and judges encouraged the team to pursue commercialisation.  Patented and available for license, the team envisages a dental gel as their first product, followed by a toothpaste as the second generation of product, a market worth in excess of US $9 billion. 

Professor Charles Kelly said: “I am delighted that we have won this award. This is the result of many years of multidisciplinary research initiated by Professor Lehner and developed by the team. We believe there is now the prospect of a unique commercial product and we are excited by the potential of making a significant impact on dental disease – the smart way.”

Professor Nairn Wilson, Dean and Head of King’s Dental Institute, commented: "The Dental Institute is delighted to be in receipt of three 2011 Medical Future Innovation Awards. It's pleasing to see our world-leading research teams being recognised in this way, particularly for the Best Educational Innovation Special Award. The Institute looks forward to further developing its links with industry through its cutting-edge research and innovation."

Notes to editors

hapTEL

The hapTEL system was developed by a project funded under The Technology Enhanced Learning Research Programme (TEL). TEL (www.tel.ac.uk) is a £12 million initiative funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. There are eight major projects running between 2007 and 2012. The Programme Director is Professor Richard Noss of the London Knowledge Lab, Institute of Education, London University.

Patents are being sought for the software underpinning the functions of the hapTEL workstation. For further details or to enquire about commercialisation opportunities, please contact project director Professor Cox on +44(0)20 7188 1307/mobile 07940-373919, email mj.cox@kcl.ac.uk, or project manager Dr. Jonathan P. San Diego on email j.p.san_diego@kcl.ac.uk

‘Preventing cavities the SMART way’

This topical gel is the first pharmaceutical product specifically targeted against the main bacterial cause of dental caries. Built on a novel patent protected molecule, first reported in the Journal, Nature Biotechnology by the lead innovators, it has now gone through preclinical and three human safety and efficacy trials including a Phase I study.  The compound is a synthetic peptide (p1025) that mimics the site of attachment of the bacteria but has no effect on other healthy microorganisms in the mouth.

For more information on how to license this technology, please contact David Mozley PhD, King’s College London on +44(0)20 7848 8130 or email david.mozley@kcl.ac.uk

Medical Futures Innovation Awards

A Medical Futures Innovation Award is one of the UK’s most sought after healthcare and business accolades. Healthcare is the world’s biggest industry worth in excess of £2 trillion. From Penicillin to beta blockers, and hip replacements to coronary stents, bright ideas from medics have historically led to vast improvements in patient care and brought significant commercial rewards.

By entering the Medical Futures Awards, front line clinicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs have the chance to pitch their ideas and businesses to a world-class panel of experts whose advice, guidance and peer-review brings unparalleled validation. As well as the critical recognition and endorsement of a Medical Futures Innovation Award, winners receive a bespoke package of support to turn ideas into viable propositions that have credibility with investors. This may include assistance in articulating their idea; securing funding; and introductions to professional and commercial contacts vital in taking their idea to the next level.

A unique feature of the Medical Futures is the input from esteemed judging panels, composed of hundreds of leading clinical and commercial experts, including the likes of, Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director for the NHS; and business icon, Sir Richard Sykes. Each of the judges is keen to offer help and guidance to the rising innovators of tomorrow. The awards offer a bridging transition from what otherwise would be largely academic research and help to translate them into commercially attractive and viable business propositions, as well as identify funding opportunities for innovation to be realised.

Winning a Medical Futures Innovation Award significantly enhances one’s chance of clinical and commercial success. To date, past winners have secured over £100m of funding, and most importantly many have gone onto become successful services or products that are now changing peoples’ lives. 

To find out more about the Medical Futures Innovation Awards 2011, please contact: 

Leila Burrell  Mobile: +44(0)7887691455 or email leila.burrell@tudor-reilly.com 

Anne Wright  Mobile: +44(0)7769 651942 or email anne.wright@tudor-reilly.com