Bright Smiles: lead the way to a Bright Future

A healthy smile can blaze a trail, and light up a future. That is the message the National Dental Association (NDA) and Colgate-Palmolive have conveyed for more than a decade. Through their partnership with the NDA, Colgate has promoted a healthier life for children who otherwise might not have access to dental care. The program consists of in-school educational curriculum, free dental screenings, treatment referrals, career mentoring, scholarships, research and more.

The theme, "Bright Smiles, Bright Futures" is more than just a catchy phrase to Dr. Marsha Butler, Vice President, Global Professional Relations and Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive. "It reflects the fact that good oral health habits learned during childhood can help establish a lifetime of good physical health and high self esteem," said Dr. Butler.

The figures speak for themselves. The U.S. Surgeon's oral health report indicates that almost 47% of all low-income Hispanics and African Americans have untreated tooth decay. Statistics also show a critical relationship between quality of life and the status of oral health. "We are determined to improve oral health among these and other ethnic populations," said Dr. Butler, "through strong community outreach, product development, and a role model program presented by dental professionals.

Reaching out, reaching millions.

According to Dr. Greg Stoute, President of the NDA, hundreds of dental professionals actively volunteer their time to this oral health initiative in inner cities and beyond. "We bring our services directly to the children," Dr. Stoute said, "and provide free oral health screenings at schools and community events in more than 120 U.S. cities."

"We are delighted that through our partnership, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures has reached more than 34 million children over the last decade in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Atlanta," added Dr. Stoute. In addition to screening services, volunteers speak at school and community functions and discuss the dental profession as a career option.

The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program is also dedicated to stemming the epidemic of oral disease globally. "The NDA and Colgate-Palmolive provide critical information and resources that link good oral health with good emotional health for youth beyond our borders," said Dr. Roosevelt Brown, president of the National Dental Association Foundation. He stated that the program has embraced 50 million children and their families annually in 80 countries and 30 languages.

Initiatives of Substance.

The NDA and Colgate-Palmolive have invested time, talent and funding in additional oral health programs, including:

Scholarships and Grants: Since 1990, 1,600 scholarships valued at more than $1.8 million have been awarded to increase the pool of Black dentists in the U.S. and globally. The $10,000 Annie Elizabeth "Bessie" Delaney Scholarship is one of many annual awards. It is named in honor of the second Black female dentist licensed in the city of New York.

Research and Training: For more than a dozen years, the National Dental Association Foundation and Colgate-Palmolive have committed multi-million dollar grants for training and research programs at the Howard University College of Dentistry and the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry.

According to NDA President Dr. Greg Stoute, the commitment to the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program is strong, and growing stronger. "To continue the momentum," said Dr. Stoute, "the NDA and Colgate-Palmolive are focused on combining our efforts with even more community and professional organizations."

He added, "We're dedicated to reaching as many children as possible with the message of good oral health and its promise of a brighter future."

About the NDA and Colgate-Palmolive

Established nearly 90 years ago, the NDA is the largest and oldest organization of minority oral health professionals in the world. It currently represents more than 7,000 African American dentists in the U.S. and abroad. The NDA's mission is to continually enhance the skills of its members, recruit underrepresented minorities into the profession and create opportunities for research among its members and the communities they serve.

For more than a century, the Colgate-Palmolive Company has been dedicated to offering a wide range of oral healthcare products that meet individual needs and tastes. Colgate's community outreach efforts have touched the lives of millions of children, providing the information, insight and inspiration they need for a healthy start on a healthy smile.

For more information about the NDA or an NDA dentist in your community, call (877) 628-3368 or (202) 588-1697. Or visit our Web site: www.ndaonline.org. To inquire about Bright Smiles, Bright Futures community programs, please call (866) 277-2897.