#USA #New York #Colgate #TeamSmile #Bright Smiles

Celebrating Two Decades of Dental Care

Colgate has long held the belief that every child and their family deserves a life filled with healthy smiles. This unwavering commitment has been reflected in their partnership with TeamSmile, leading to a remarkable milestone: twenty years of collaboration. Together, they have contributed an astounding $24 million in free dental care and education to children in underserved communities throughout the United States.

A Journey of Impact

The program, known as Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF), emphasizes the importance of promoting dental health. With a mission to enhance oral health education and access, Colgate and TeamSmile have been at the forefront of providing essential services to children in need. Since the inception of this partnership, more than 65,000 children have benefited from various initiatives, primarily facilitated through programs held at significant venues and sporting events.

As part of their 20th-anniversary celebration, Colgate and TeamSmile have scheduled a series of special events, starting with a one-day clinic during the ShopRite LPGA tournament in Galloway, New Jersey, on May 29, 2026. This initiative will include free dental exams, oral health education, and the unique opportunity for children to meet LPGA players, reinforcing the vital connection between sports and health education.

Addressing Dental Health Challenges

Despite being largely preventable, dental caries remain the most common chronic disease affecting children from ages two to nineteen, impacting nearly half of this population. Alarmingly, one-third of affected children do not receive necessary treatment, leading to missed school days due to related health issues. Various barriers—such as a lack of awareness, financial constraints, fear, and limited access to care—disproportionately affect children in underprivileged communities.

Through the combined efforts of Colgate BSBF and TeamSmile, these disparities are being addressed by harnessing the power of sports and providing dental care education alongside dental services. This year, Colgate is taking further steps to expand TeamSmile's reach by investing in additional staff, a second mobile clinic, and new dental equipment.

John McCarthy, the CEO of TeamSmile, remarked, "Colgate's commitment over the past 20 years has been transformative for the children we serve and for our organization. Their support goes far beyond financial contributions, as the Colgate BSBF team brings vital education and resources directly to the communities we serve. This year's investment in new equipment and personnel represents a pivotal change that will enable us to extend our reach and help more communities in need."

Since its establishment in 1991, the SBFB program has reached an estimated two billion children and their families in over 100 countries, promoting lifelong healthy habits through oral health education, free dental check-ups, and treatment recommendations.

Anaika Forbes Grant, Community Dental Health Manager at Colgate-Palmolive North America, emphasized the significance of this partnership by stating, "Colgate-Palmolive is an innovative and committed company that is reimagining a healthier future for all. For two decades, the collaboration between Colgate and TeamSmile has played a vital role in advancing the SBFB program's mission in the U.S. We take pride in helping deliver essential oral health education and care to tens of thousands of children through this partnership, and we remain committed to supporting TeamSmile in creating healthier smiles for many more years to come."

Looking ahead to 2026, additional TeamSmile events in collaboration with the Colgate SBFB program are planned for Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas.

To explore free educational resources on oral health, learn about volunteer opportunities, and help create a world of brighter smiles and even brighter futures, visit colgate.com/bsbf.

About Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive is a growing, innovative company dedicated to reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. With a focus on oral care, personal care, home care, and pet nutrition, they market their products in over 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, P&;T, and many others. Recognized for their leadership in promoting sustainability and community well-being, Colgate continues to champion initiatives that reduce plastic waste and improve oral health for children through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program.

For more information about Colgate's global commerce and how they're creating a future full of reasons to smile, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.

About TeamSmile

TeamSmile is a nonprofit organization that has established partnerships with professional sports teams, local dentists, dental associations, and community volunteers to emphasize the importance of dental care while providing free services. By contributing over $650,000 in equipment and materials, TeamSmile creates on-site dental clinics that have served more than 65,000 children since their inception in 2007. Over 350 events have provided more than $24 million in free dental care and oral health education nationwide. More about TeamSmile can be found at www.teamsmile.org.