Product Design Award category winner: Sensory Shine

WINNER: Sensory Shine

Sponsored by:

About Sensory Shine

Sensory Shine is a UK-based small business dedicated to making essential oral hygiene routines more accessible, dignified and achievable for people who experience barriers to conventional oral care.

Products include a selected range of inclusive oral care products designed to reduce sensory overload, minimise physical strain and support safer, calmer brushing experiences.

Issue

The company was created in response to the lived experience of supporting a family member with Autism and sensory processing differences. Traditional oral care products often assume people have steady hands, can cope with lots of sensory input, stay focused, and follow problematic routines. However, that’s not the experience for many disabled people. As a result, brushing teeth can end up being one of the toughest daily tasks for a lot of people with different needs.

What they did

Sensory Shine developed their products in partnership with families, carers and occupational therapists. They feature things like soft, evenly distributed bristles, easy-to-use designs that don’t require too much dexterity (eg their U-shaped electric toothbrush), distribute pressure evenly, have shorter brushing times and features that help reduce gagging or discomfort. These make the products helpful for lots of people, including neurodivergent individuals, people with learning disabilities, those living with dementia, stroke survivors, people recovering from illness or surgery, and older adults who require additional support with daily hygiene. Importantly, the products also look appealing and age-appropriate, avoiding anything too clinical or childish to preserve dignity and independence wherever possible. 

Impact

Users have reported reduced discomfort, improved tolerance of brushing, increased confidence and greater participation in their oral care routine. They have also helped reduce emotional strain on carers who may have found it stressful to encourage good oral hygiene. The simplified design and reduced physical demands of Sensory Shine’s products support safer, more manageable brushing experiences, helping individuals retain familiar routines for longer and supporting dignity and wellbeing. Those experiencing reduced strength, coordination or fatigue also benefit from tools that require less precision and effort.

The products come with clear, simple guidance to make using them easier, demonstrating how thoughtful product selection, inclusive communication and lived experience can transform everyday tasks into accessible solutions that remove barriers and improve quality of life for disabled people of any age. The knock-on effect is greatly improved oral care and, ultimately, general wellbeing and health outcomes.

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