Reach Wonder Grip toothbrush

Reach Wonder Grip children’s toothbrush

At the time I started work on Johnson & Johnson’s Reach Wonder Grip, 1993, children’s toothbrushes were simply adult toothbrush designs reduced in size. Children, however, are not miniature adults. Their hands don’t have nearly the same level of dexterity and coordination. To re-think this product category I designed and conducted a study on children brushing their teeth.
Studies in dentistry show that cavities in children occur in two specific areas of the mouth – upper lingual and lower buccal – areas that can only be reached by spinning the toothbrush in the hand. We developed the Reach Wonder Grip to be easy to hold, manipulate and spin. Closely watching children brush their teeth, and understanding their physical ability, we evolved through many iterations a shape that proved successful. Top to bottom, every design detail on the Wonder Grip was unique, having purpose.

A follow-up study showed that the handle designs succeeded in allowing children to effectively control the toothbrush, reaching difficult areas of the mouth.

The introduction of the Reach Wonder Grip toothbrush spurred the industry to think beyond the stick-like designs that were prominent, spawning a wave of new designs in adult toothbrushes as well.

Dan Formosa and Tom Dair (Smart Design) received two patents on this design.