Our Journey at the 2025 Care Innovation Challenge
In 2025, DentaBlue had the opportunity to take part in the Care Innovation Challenge, delivered by the National Care Forum’s Care Innovation Hub. The Challenge supports early-stage ideas that respond to some of the most pressing challenges in health and social care, helping innovators develop compassionate, practical solutions that can make a real difference.
You can find out more about the Care Innovation Challenge and the work of the Care Innovation Hub here:
https://careinnovationhub.org.uk/challenge/
An Innovation Weekend That Changed More Than Just Our Product
Our journey began with the Innovation Weekend at Coventry University, and it’s hard to put into words just how intense — and transformative — those two days were. Being surrounded by people who were just as driven to improve care was inspiring, but also daunting.
As a young female founder, stepping into the world of entrepreneurship and health innovation hasn’t always felt easy. There were moments of imposter syndrome, moments where I questioned whether I truly belonged in the room, or whether my idea — and my voice — would be taken seriously.
What made the difference was the support from the mentors and the National Care Forum. Their guidance went far beyond refining ideas or business models. They helped me find clarity, focus on the problem DentaBlue was created to solve, and build confidence in myself as a founder. Their belief was paramount in helping me hone both my product and my pitch — and, just as importantly, my self-belief.
The weekend ended with five-minute pitches. Standing on stage to deliver my very first pitch was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences I’ve ever had. Looking out at a room filled with accomplished founders, care professionals, and innovators from across the health and social care sector was overwhelming — yet quietly empowering.
Waiting to hear the outcome felt endless. When DentaBlue was announced as a semi-finalist, I was overjoyed at receiving this recognition.
The Final at the Birmingham Care Show: A Turning Point
The final took place over two days at the Birmingham Care Show, and those days proved to be a defining moment for DentaBlue.
From the moment the doors opened, we were met with an overwhelming response. Care professionals, family carers, and people working across social care stopped to talk, to taste, and to share their experiences. Many signed up to the waiting list immediately.
One of the most meaningful moments came when the Director for the Department of Health and Social Caredescribed DentaBlue as “truly inventive.” Hearing that recognition reinforced what we had felt throughout the Challenge — that this product isn’t simply innovative, it’s necessary.
But what stayed with me most were the conversations.
The Reality of Oral Care for People Living with Dementia
Again and again, people shared deeply personal stories about oral care for people living with dementia — stories of distress, struggle, and unmet need. Carers spoke openly about how traditional toothbrushing can be upsetting or simply not possible. Family members described watching loved ones’ oral health deteriorate because there were no suitable alternatives.
Oral care is often overlooked in dementia care, yet it plays a vital role in comfort, dignity, nutrition, and overall health. Cognitive changes, sensory sensitivities, and reduced motor control can all make conventional oral care methods challenging, leaving both carers and those they support feeling helpless.
These conversations reaffirmed why DentaBlue exists. This is about more than innovation — it’s about accessible oral care, supporting carers, and restoring dignity for people living with dementia.
The traction we received over those two days made one thing clear: DentaBlue isn’t just a good idea. It’s a necessity.
Growing as a Founder Through the Care Innovation Challenge
The Care Innovation Challenge gave me far more than a platform for DentaBlue. It gave me space to grow.
With the support of the mentors and the National Care Forum, I learned how to articulate my vision, refine my pitch, and speak confidently about the problem we’re solving. For someone new to the business world — particularly as a young woman navigating health and social care innovation — that encouragement was invaluable.
It transformed uncertainty into direction, and fear into confidence.
Looking Ahead: Giving Back in 2026
One of the most unexpected and meaningful outcomes of this journey has been being invited to return to the Care Innovation Challenge in 2026 — this time as a mentor.
To go from delivering my very first pitch, unsure of my place, to being asked to support the next cohort of innovators feels incredibly full-circle. I’m excited to share my learning — from early-stage pitching and product development, to building confidence and resilience as a founder.
If my experience can help even one future changemaker believe in their idea and their voice, then returning as a mentor feels like the most fitting way to give back to a programme that gave me — and DentaBlue — so much.