Abstract: A pen light has a removable dental mirror positioned to be in the beam of the light. The flashlight has a barrel which is constricted on one end to capture and hold a pen light bulb dropped in the other end. The electrical circuit within the flashlight includes a strip spring with a bow or arched section which make contact with the base of a flashlight bulb of almost any type and with many different sizes, on a bulb drop-in basis. The electrical contacts are such that the batteries may be dropped either end first into the barrel of the flashlight. The off-on switch has a threaded screw so that the light is switched off and on by turning a screw.

Abstract: A floss holder includes a bobbin of preferably unwaxed floss which feeds through a chamber containing a medication, such as fluoride. While in the chamber, the floss passes through a number of bearing surfaces for squeezing the medication into the floss without disturbing the lay of the fibers in the floss. After leaving the medication chamber, the floss passes out of the floss holder, over a stand-off prong and to a cutter. A clutch may be provided in the bobbin to maintain a floss tension throughout the medication chamber.

Abstract: A spool of thread, such as dental floss, is housed in a holder, preferably made of plastic. The thread or floss is wound on a bobbin having a hollow, cylindrical hub area. A clutch for controlling the bobbin rotation comprises a split post having an enlarged cross section near the center thereof. The split post fits into the hollow, cylindrical hub area of the bobbin with the post squeezed slightly to provide a desired amount of friction between the central post and the cylindrical hub walls. The friction keeps the bobbin from unwinding; however, the friction is not so great that it keeps the thread or floss from pulling smoothly and evenly from the bobbin.

Abstract: A spool of thread, such as dental floss, is housed in a two-part shell or holder, preferably made of plastic, one of the two parts having a central post coaxially located therein. The thread or floss is wound on a bobbin having a clutch molded in its hub area. The clutch comprises a split cylinder having a generally C-shaped cross section with three equally spaced ribs running along the internal length thereof. The C-shape of the split cylinder embraces the central post and the surfaces of the three ribs provided areas for friction gripping the central post. The friction keeps the bobbin from unwinding; however, the friction is not so great that it keeps the thread or floss from pulling smoothly and evenly from the bobbin.