How to bring oral care to kids and their families

Good daily oral care habits are the foundation of lifelong oral health. The earlier we establish such positive habits, the easier they are to maintain — as we often realize during adulthood when we try to break bad habits or adopt new ones. That’s why, with the support of dental students and professionals like you, Colgate is committed to helping children to build healthy smiles from the very beginning.

Bright Smiles, Bright Futures

Colgate’s unique Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program champions oral health for children and families all over the world. Established more than 30 years ago, BSBF has reached over 1.3 billion children in more than 80 countries with oral health education. By 2025, the program aims to have reached two billion children, with the goal of giving every single child the bright smiles and bright futures they deserve.

How to get involved

BSBF relies on a dedicated network of dental professionals, students, educators and volunteers to bring oral health to children and their families. Read on to find out what we do and how you can join us…

Classroom curriculum

At the heart of the program is the award-winning BSBF curriculum, available online. In this online portal, you’ll find an extensive library of free resources to engage children and their families in oral health.

For use in your practice or during community outreach events, you’ll find:

• Educational wall posters, charts and infographics
• Fun games and activity sheets
• Educational guides for parents and families
• Award certificates to reward positive behaviors

You’ll also find resources that you can share with families, educators, and volunteers, such as:

• Games, videos, and songs to teach children healthy habits

• Storybooks and movies for families to enjoy together

• Classroom posters, coloring sheets and activities

• Volunteer advice and classroom visit guides.

Community outreach is especially important for bringing BSBF’s oral health message to children in underserved communities, e.g., in rural and socioeconomically deprived areas. Consider getting involved in some of these, or refer to your local BSBF portal for free resources to use at your own outreach events. Water preservation

Reliable access to safe water is fundamental to health, yet many children around the world are still living without this most basic necessity. In order to fully realize our goal of giving every child a bright smile and a bright future, this has to change.

In line with organizations like the United Nations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the European Commission, Colgate has made tackling this global problem an urgent priority. By 2025, we have pledged to reach water safety and preservation goals that include:

• Providing one million people with access to clean, safe water and sanitation systems

• Engaging 100% of our priority material suppliers in water-stressed regions to take action towards water security

• Reduce our manufacturing water intensity by 25% compared to 2010.

To achieve these ambitious goals and give children the bright futures they deserve, we need everybody’s help. Learn more about our water safety and sustainability goals here and find out how we can work together to make a difference.