The son and daughter of two Jamestown dentists have invented a new tooth brush that is entirely biodegradable.
The brother and sister team are the founders of Bogobrush, a new toothbrush that is biodegradable. Similarly to the Tom’s Shoes business model, the team plans to donate one toothbrush for every toothbrush sold. The brushes are made from a bamboo handle and nylon bristles. They are currently not available in retail stores but they can be purchased online at bogobrush.com
John and Heather McDougall left their hometown of Jamestown, North Dakota with aspirations outside of dentistry. John attended university in Detroit with a major in design. Heather received her undergraduate degree at Concordia before attending law school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The McDougall’s are not the first to develop a biodegradable toothbrush, a similar donation program was created by recent college graduate Joe Brennan, 22, whose organization, Smiles for the People, gives the monetary equivalent of every biodegradable toothbrush sold to those in need.
Brennan started the project as a way to help consumers and corporations realize the roles which need to be filled in eliminating global poverty. Brennan sees Smiles for the People as a way to sell the highest quality environmentally friendly dental supplies while improving the oral health of people who are impoverished both domestically and abroad.
As for the Jamestown siblings, they have assembled a staff to help aid with the production, sales, and promotion of the Bogobrush. John, who designed the toothbrush, put great care into the creation of the Bogobrush. Aside from examining existing toothbrush designs, McDougall drew inspiration from the handles of paintbrushes.
Bogobrush has partnered with several charities and non-profit organizations to make their buy-one-give-one free business model financially viable. The company also plans to allow customers to choose where their donations are sent.
Whether you choose to purchase your biodegradable toothbrush from Smiles to the People or Bogobrush it is goof to know that there are ways for the community to give back in every way, shape, and form.
