An oral care implement implementing a cleaning element arrangement having diverging cleaning elements. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. A plurality of cleaning elements extend from the first surface of the head so as to form a ring about an axis extending from the first surface of the head. Each of the cleaning elements extend from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as to radially diverge from the axis. In one embodiment, a cleaning element wall also extends from the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounds the plurality of cleaning elements. In another aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement that utilizes the aforementioned arrangement of cleaning elements.