Colgate Expanded Oral Health Education Program
The company plans to reach one billion more children globally following a discussion at the United Nations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Colgate-Palmolive has announced a strategic evolution for its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures oral health education program. The company aims to empower an additional one billion children with lifelong healthy habits after reaching two billion participants since 1991.
Why it matters
The program addresses global oral health disparities through school-based initiatives and mobile screenings. Expanding this reach is part of a broader strategy to instill preventative care habits in underserved populations worldwide.
A UCLA report confirms a 75% reduction in new cavities among children in Grenada and a 23% increase in healthy gingival units in Mexico City. The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program has reached two billion children across 100 countries over its 35-year duration.
The players
Colgate-Palmolive
This American multinational consumer products company is headquartered in New York and focuses on oral care and personal care items.
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles, is a public research university that conducts extensive academic and health-related studies.
WHO Foundation
This independent organization supports the World Health Organization in addressing the most pressing global health challenges.
Dalberg Design
This firm specializes in human-centered design and social impact strategy to solve complex global development problems.
The details
The program utilizes a curriculum of school-based programming, mobile dental vans, and free screenings to improve health outcomes. New educational materials incorporate human-centered design principles that were field-tested in India, Kenya, Mexico, and the United States.
Timeline
The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program launched in 1991.
Colgate-Palmolive announced funding for the WHO Foundation earlier this year.
An expert discussion was held at the United Nations on September 22, 2026.
The Big Picture
Colgate-Palmolive’s funding and educational expansion follows a pattern set by the WHO Foundation global health strategy of leveraging private-public partnerships to improve public health metrics.
Families in over 100 countries may see increased access to free oral health screenings and dental education in schools. These programs focus on establishing daily hygiene routines that can reduce the future risk of dental disease.
The takeaway
Effective oral health education relies on culturally adapted curriculum and consistent, long-term community presence. Individuals can improve their own oral hygiene by implementing consistent, daily preventative care habits early in childhood.
Further reading
For more information on youth wellness initiatives, visit Children’s Health.
More information
Access additional details regarding the program through Colgate-Palmolive corporate information and resources.
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