Colgate Links School Picture Day with Oral Health

Colgate has partnered with The Kids In Need Foundation and country artist and mom Jessie James Decker as part of “Smile for Picture Day”—an annual campaign that uses the tradition of school picture day to promote healthy brushing routines. The oral care giant has donated 25,000 Colgate Kids toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes along with $25,000 to the 501(3)(c) charitable organization, which prepares children to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies to students most in need.

Several studies have demonstrated a connection between poor dental health and low grade point averages and in some cases, children with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to miss days at school than their peers due to dental pain, according to Colgate.

Each year, to help create healthy smiles, Colgate's award-winning oral health curriculum reaches nearly none out of every 10 kindergarten students and 3.5 million children in all 50 states.  Additionally, throughout the Smile for Picture Day campaign, Colgate's fleet of mobile dental vans will travel to more than 150 elementary schools providing free dental screenings to children in need.

“It is hard to learn without the proper tools, and Colgate understands that not every student arrives at the first day of school with school supplies,” said Dave Smith, executive director, The Kids In Need Foundation. “When kids have the proper school supplies, we see their confidence soar. We know that with these supplies, students' classroom behavior improves and grades go up, because kids feel they have a better chance of achieving in the classroom. We want to thank Colgate for helping more children start the school year right.”
 
“Picture day is an iconic tradition that marks a new year of learning and special milestones. When you're shopping for the perfect picture day apparel, make sure you add toothpaste and a new toothbrush to the list,” said Dr. Marsha Butler, vice president of global oral health and professional relations, a dentist who oversees the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program. “By scheduling dental check-ups and promoting healthy habits at home, we can help children feel good about themselves and the school year ahead.”
 
Consumers are encouraged to show their support for children's oral health and this year's campaign by sharing their camera ready smiles on Twitter and Instagram using #SmileforPictureDay.