Microbrush International supplies dental accessories for a variety of dentists and designs innovative products for specialty purposes. Dentists rely on Microbrush products to facilitate better restorative procedures and to produce reliable successful outcomes. Some top-sellers are Microbrush’s applicators and swabs. In particular, Microbrush constructed one of their dental swabs into a testing swab during the Covid-19 pandemic. The nasopharyngeal testing swab allows for a sterile and ready-to-use applicator that other medical professionals can use. Microbrush’s innovative techniques continue to help dentist professionals and now, doctors in the midst of a pandemic.
We sat down with Ben Biesiada, Marketing Manager of Microbrush International, to discuss the company’s mission towards helping medical professionals.
Tell us about Microbrush International.
At Microbrush International, we design and manufacture restorative dental accessories of the highest quality. Offering a complete range of products to fulfill the unique needs and desires of dentists around the world, our products enable them to better practice their craft with greater convenience, greater consistency, and greater control. Dentists can choose our products with confidence, knowing that every product out-of-the-box will reliably deliver the same performance as the last.
Tell us about how you got started in this space.
When we realized that there was a need for a very specific product that our manufacturing team was uniquely positioned to tackle, we seized the opportunity to be a part of strengthening the national testing effort. We quickly realized that the technology we use to make dental micro applicators could be repurposed for testing swabs, so we hit the ground running and, in just 90 days, we were able to bring to market a product that we had never made before.
With the trauma of COVID-19, we saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to repurpose our dental micro applicator technology to help solve a global public health crisis. Before the pandemic, we didn’t even know this type of testing swab existed, but we seized the opportunity, and 90 days later we have manufactured a commercial product that is being developed and sold, all in the United States.
What problem is Microbrush International solving?
With a major national shortage of testing supplies, the market has been flooded by some unreliable international supply chains. Earlier this month, the FDA added swabs to the list of medical supply shortages. By adding test swabs to our product line, we are not only helping to meet the national demand, but we were also able to bring manufacturing jobs back to our factories in the United States. We are thrilled to be creating new jobs and helping the economy and our communities. We are extremely proud to play a role in stopping this pandemic.
What are some important factors of Microbrush’s testing swab?
We saw an important opportunity, and we had the technology and expertise to do it, the right way. It was risky, but our whole team was excited to do good for our country and we were dedicated to a very accelerated time frame. The Microbrush testing swab that we created is the gold standard of swabs: it meets all FDA requirements, is safer and more comfortable than others on the market, including 3D printed swabs, and reduces reliance on questionable international supply chains.
What are some measures Microbrush International implemented during the COVID- 19 pandemic?
Safety is key for all of our employees and staff. We’ve been following the CDC guidelines and implemented a mask mandate before the state even required it, as well as many other precautions. This is critical, as we’ve been managing through this crisis, that all of our supply-chain locations are doing everything possible to keep employees safe. Young Innovations is committed to helping curb this pandemic and our new product is a testament to our dedication to improving our communities and making the world a better place.
Everyone at the factory is really excited to be contributing to the COVID-19 testing effort. It feels great to be doing our part to curb this pandemic and I couldn’t be more proud of how our team has responded to meet the immediate needs of this global shortage. It’s given us a new sense of purpose in our jobs, and we’re thrilled to be able to produce up to 5 million swabs a week.
Anything else that you would like us to know about you or your company?
We developed and manufactured our Microbrush Test Swabs in 90 days. It was indeed quite a feat! We went from not knowing anything about this product when COVID-19 hit to creating and commercializing it in just eight weeks. In mid-March, we learned of the shortages in diagnostic supplies and reached out to various partners to better understand the situation. We collaborated with iMFLUX, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, to develop a mold and with Flexan, a Linden Capital Partners portfolio company, to consult on packaging design. By May, the team coordinated clinical tests for design validation with several hospital systems, including the Veterans Administration.
It was great speaking with Ben. Be sure to learn more about Microbrush International by visiting their complete GovShop profile.