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128 Birch Street
Boston, MA, 02131
United States

(617) 390-4076

Invent Boston designs and develops original products to add science + whimsy to  every day tasks at home.   Our first product is a Two Minute timer, Two Minute Turtle, a visual timer. The Two Minute Turtle helps children and adults focus on two minute tasks such as brushing teeth, physical therapy, taking a shower and speaking (practicing a presentation or learning a language).

Invent Boston™, Home of the Two Minute Turtle Timer™

Invent Boston™ blog offers tips and stories by parents, for parents of children ages 4-12 to make toothbrushing and other healthy habits at home, more fun. We write about simple tactics to help kids do what they like to do-touch, seeing, play games and strive for independence. We recommend products to help stay healthy while being kids. We share stories to transform daily healthy habits from something kids resist (for example, toothbrushing, handwashing, toilet training, organizing, taking time-out or pausing, yoga, and taking turns) into something children are motivated to do independently, without parents’ reminders. The original physical product Invent Boston has designed for families is the new light-up Two Minute Turtle Timer, an analog, interval toothbrush timer to make brushing teeth fun for kids. Kids like to press the button, follow the flippers and brush until all the lights blink—the Victory Lap signals to brush the tongue.

Part 1: Cook Children’s Health Care System Dentist, Recommends Turtle Timer for Toothbrushing

Virginia Berman

Cook Children’s Hospital Oral Health Care Director recommends the Turtle Timer

The Two Minute Turtle Timer has a new fan, the Cook Children’s Hospital! We had a chance to interview Dr. Tonya Fuqua, Director, Child Oral Health at Cook Children’s Center for Children’s Health.

  • Turtle Timer Q: How are you using the Two Minute Turtle Timer?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • We are utilizing it as incentive for children when providing educational opportunities in the community and, with programs/partners involved with our Children’s Oral Health Coalition.

  • Turtle Timer Q: How does the Turtle Timer help your work?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • Parents need all the help they can get to encourage children to brush their teeth and create good oral health habits

    • Making brushing fun, and encouraging children to brush for 2 minutes, 2 times a day which improves oral hygiene and ultimately decreases Early Childhood Caries—tooth decay

  • Turtle Timer Q: How do you think the Turtle Timer will help the families?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • Interactive approach to establishing brushing routine, keeping children and families engaged in the process of setting good oral hygiene habits

  • Turtle Timer Q: What do you hope for after families have used the Turtle Timer?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • Improved oral health care habits

    • Children take control and increase their excitement for brushing their teeth

  • Virginia, Turtle Timer Q: Have you tried it yourself or observing children with it yet?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • We have received positive reviews from children and parents

    • Even my 16 year old daughter thought it was cute and wanted to try it out

 

  • Turtle Timer Q: Anything else you’d like to share about your work with children and helping them brush teeth well?

    Dr. Fuqua:

    • Keeping children engaged, educated , set in a routine and giving them a fun way to care for their teeth is key to truly make a lasting impact in a child’s oral health

    • Children start at a very young age (2-3) wanting to be in control and doing things themselves, so this is an awesome tool to excite and engage children as a parent introduces an oral health care routine at home

    • Brushing and taking care of your teeth can be fun and this turtle timer proves that!

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