Christine Esposito, Managing Editor02.26.24
Cavities aren’t just about lazy brushing habits that impact one’s smile. Oral care has a direct link to one’s overall health wellbeing—and the impact begins long before adult teeth appear.
Cavities are the most common chronic disease affecting children in the US and can negatively impact mental health, social and economic development. Poor oral health has been even linked to various conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to health experts. That aching tooth can also make it harder to pay attention in the classroom.
These facts guide the work of Gillian Barclay, SVP, global public health and scientific affairs at Colgate-Palmolive.
Barclay plays a role in leading Colgate-Palmolive’s oral health education efforts, helping champion efforts like Bright Smiles, Bright Future (BSBF). The program educates children and their families on the relationship and importance of oral health and wellbeing. Since it was founded in 1991, BSBF has reached 1.7 billion children (and counting) around the world with free dental screenings and oral health education.
Colgate in 2021 also created a partnership with Verily designed to advance the understanding of the connection between oral health and overall health.
For Children’s Dental Health Month (February), Happi spoke with Barclay to learn more about the connections between oral health and overall health and wellbeing, and how Colgate-Palmolive plans to elevate oral care from basic hygiene to health and wellbeing for all.
HAPPI: Tell us why oral health in children matters more than just "cavity prevention." What are the stakes here?
Barclay: The stakes are serious and far-reaching. For children specifically, it’s important to develop a good oral health routine early on because research shows that nearly 50% of the world suffers from oral diseases including cavities, gingivitis and periodontal diseases – with cavities being the number one chronic disease among children.
This matters because oral health has a direct link to overall health and wellbeing. Without proper preventive oral care, cavities can develop and, left untreated, cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. And cavities and oral pain can negatively impact mental wellbeing, leading to significant physical, emotional, social and even economic distress.
Just as we take proactive measures to address other health conditions, oral health shouldn’t be any different. It’s all about taking a comprehensive preventative approach to maintain good oral care from an early age – so we can support healthier, brighter futures.
HAPPI: Why is it that many people may not associate oral health with public health?
Barclay: Oral health is oftentimes considered separate from overall health and wellbeing. We are working to improve the oral health literacy of adults and children alike and change this perception.
And sooner the better, because it is important to practice good oral hygiene habits – like brushing for two minutes twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and visiting the dentist regularly – starting in childhood, as this can help reduce the chances of oral diseases that link to other chronic diseases. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can be linked to various conditions including cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications and diabetes among others. So, it's vital that children and adults are aware of the link between oral health and overall health to ensure its prioritized.
At Colgate-Palmolive, we are firm champions of a whole-body health approach, connecting the mouth to the rest of the body by breaking down silos to integrate oral health into primary health care. It is our hope as we build on our commitment and work together with partners, we can address the need for comprehensive, systemic public health action, closing the gap between oral health and overall health and wellbeing.
HAPPI: Talk to us about the success of the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program to date, and what it means for Colgate-Palmolive as a company?
Barclay: The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures oral health education program was established in 1991 to improve the health, education and wellbeing of children and their families around the world. BSBF continues to promote health equity, optimal health and well-being, and to lead global social impact efforts that empower children and families to achieve healthy and bright futures.
To date, we are proud that this programming has reached more than 1.7 billion children and continues to educate about oral health habits, like brushing twice-a-day, healthy nutrition and sharing informative resources for establishing a strong oral health routine. In 2021, Colgate-Palmolive celebrated 30 years of BSBF and was able to reach more than 50 million children and families in North America with in-person and virtual visits in that milestone year alone.
Our goals continue to expand for this program as we see the benefits it has on overall health outcomes. We aim to continue to promote lifelong learning opportunities and create a world of bright smiles and even brighter futures.
HAPPI: What are some of the plans for this program in 2024?
Barclay: Colgate-Palmolive’s purpose is to reimagine a healthier future for all. So, looking ahead, the company is focusing on the social impact BSBF can make for future generations by integrating a public health approach to oral health, focused on inequities as well as communities that are underserved and marginalized.
Colgate-Palmolive aims to elevate oral care from basic hygiene to health and wellbeing, and this next-generation approach will help realize this goal by:
• Reaching more children and families with our next-generation BSBF program with new approaches to improve oral health and wellbeing.
• Expanding our programs in schools to prevent childhood cavities by working with governments, nonprofit partners, dental providers and nurses.
• Championing a brighter future for two billion children and their families by 2025.
HAPPI: What new products are available from the Colgate stable that help with children's oral health? What’s on the horizon?
Barclay: We pride ourselves as an innovative growth company that is leading and transforming oral health and wellbeing – delivering perceivably superior products and impactful brand experiences that help people improve their oral health and contribute to their brighter futures.
Let’s start with the oral health of adults. Consider Colgate Total Plaque Pro Release Toothpaste with Smart Foam technology that was launched last year. The product features a unique formula that penetrates hard-to-reach places and fights plaque bacteria along the gum line, improving long-term gum health and strengthening the foundation of a healthy smile, so you can smile brightly with healthy teeth and gums – helping you get “Dentist Ready,” as we like to say.
For children, our team has been working to find creative, innovative new ways to make brush-time more effective for kids and their families – through the memorable power of music. BSBF recently partnered with Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH), a nonprofit organization that strives to build health literacy and health equity, to release “Paste Time,” an educational tool that teaches key elements of good oral hygiene to children and their families. The song, performed by entertainment icon and Hip Hop Public Health co-founder Doug E. Fresh, advances BSBF’s mission to improve children’s health and wellbeing.
We continue to strengthen our kids’ offerings to help drive oral health in children and help build habits through solutions that are effective but also enjoyable for kids. In 2024, we expanded our core kids’ toothpaste portfolio with larger pack sizes to enable solutions for larger families while offering value. We've also launched kids powered and manual toothbrushes under the Minecraft license, as we know characters and licenses are a big motivator to get kids brushing.
Cavities are the most common chronic disease affecting children in the US and can negatively impact mental health, social and economic development. Poor oral health has been even linked to various conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to health experts. That aching tooth can also make it harder to pay attention in the classroom.
These facts guide the work of Gillian Barclay, SVP, global public health and scientific affairs at Colgate-Palmolive.
Barclay plays a role in leading Colgate-Palmolive’s oral health education efforts, helping champion efforts like Bright Smiles, Bright Future (BSBF). The program educates children and their families on the relationship and importance of oral health and wellbeing. Since it was founded in 1991, BSBF has reached 1.7 billion children (and counting) around the world with free dental screenings and oral health education.
Colgate in 2021 also created a partnership with Verily designed to advance the understanding of the connection between oral health and overall health.
For Children’s Dental Health Month (February), Happi spoke with Barclay to learn more about the connections between oral health and overall health and wellbeing, and how Colgate-Palmolive plans to elevate oral care from basic hygiene to health and wellbeing for all.
HAPPI: Tell us why oral health in children matters more than just "cavity prevention." What are the stakes here?
Barclay: The stakes are serious and far-reaching. For children specifically, it’s important to develop a good oral health routine early on because research shows that nearly 50% of the world suffers from oral diseases including cavities, gingivitis and periodontal diseases – with cavities being the number one chronic disease among children.
This matters because oral health has a direct link to overall health and wellbeing. Without proper preventive oral care, cavities can develop and, left untreated, cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. And cavities and oral pain can negatively impact mental wellbeing, leading to significant physical, emotional, social and even economic distress.
Just as we take proactive measures to address other health conditions, oral health shouldn’t be any different. It’s all about taking a comprehensive preventative approach to maintain good oral care from an early age – so we can support healthier, brighter futures.
HAPPI: Why is it that many people may not associate oral health with public health?
Barclay: Oral health is oftentimes considered separate from overall health and wellbeing. We are working to improve the oral health literacy of adults and children alike and change this perception.
And sooner the better, because it is important to practice good oral hygiene habits – like brushing for two minutes twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and visiting the dentist regularly – starting in childhood, as this can help reduce the chances of oral diseases that link to other chronic diseases. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can be linked to various conditions including cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications and diabetes among others. So, it's vital that children and adults are aware of the link between oral health and overall health to ensure its prioritized.
At Colgate-Palmolive, we are firm champions of a whole-body health approach, connecting the mouth to the rest of the body by breaking down silos to integrate oral health into primary health care. It is our hope as we build on our commitment and work together with partners, we can address the need for comprehensive, systemic public health action, closing the gap between oral health and overall health and wellbeing.
HAPPI: Talk to us about the success of the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program to date, and what it means for Colgate-Palmolive as a company?
Barclay: The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures oral health education program was established in 1991 to improve the health, education and wellbeing of children and their families around the world. BSBF continues to promote health equity, optimal health and well-being, and to lead global social impact efforts that empower children and families to achieve healthy and bright futures.
To date, we are proud that this programming has reached more than 1.7 billion children and continues to educate about oral health habits, like brushing twice-a-day, healthy nutrition and sharing informative resources for establishing a strong oral health routine. In 2021, Colgate-Palmolive celebrated 30 years of BSBF and was able to reach more than 50 million children and families in North America with in-person and virtual visits in that milestone year alone.
Our goals continue to expand for this program as we see the benefits it has on overall health outcomes. We aim to continue to promote lifelong learning opportunities and create a world of bright smiles and even brighter futures.
HAPPI: What are some of the plans for this program in 2024?
Barclay: Colgate-Palmolive’s purpose is to reimagine a healthier future for all. So, looking ahead, the company is focusing on the social impact BSBF can make for future generations by integrating a public health approach to oral health, focused on inequities as well as communities that are underserved and marginalized.
Colgate-Palmolive aims to elevate oral care from basic hygiene to health and wellbeing, and this next-generation approach will help realize this goal by:
• Reaching more children and families with our next-generation BSBF program with new approaches to improve oral health and wellbeing.
• Expanding our programs in schools to prevent childhood cavities by working with governments, nonprofit partners, dental providers and nurses.
• Championing a brighter future for two billion children and their families by 2025.
HAPPI: What new products are available from the Colgate stable that help with children's oral health? What’s on the horizon?
Barclay: We pride ourselves as an innovative growth company that is leading and transforming oral health and wellbeing – delivering perceivably superior products and impactful brand experiences that help people improve their oral health and contribute to their brighter futures.
Let’s start with the oral health of adults. Consider Colgate Total Plaque Pro Release Toothpaste with Smart Foam technology that was launched last year. The product features a unique formula that penetrates hard-to-reach places and fights plaque bacteria along the gum line, improving long-term gum health and strengthening the foundation of a healthy smile, so you can smile brightly with healthy teeth and gums – helping you get “Dentist Ready,” as we like to say.
For children, our team has been working to find creative, innovative new ways to make brush-time more effective for kids and their families – through the memorable power of music. BSBF recently partnered with Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH), a nonprofit organization that strives to build health literacy and health equity, to release “Paste Time,” an educational tool that teaches key elements of good oral hygiene to children and their families. The song, performed by entertainment icon and Hip Hop Public Health co-founder Doug E. Fresh, advances BSBF’s mission to improve children’s health and wellbeing.
We continue to strengthen our kids’ offerings to help drive oral health in children and help build habits through solutions that are effective but also enjoyable for kids. In 2024, we expanded our core kids’ toothpaste portfolio with larger pack sizes to enable solutions for larger families while offering value. We've also launched kids powered and manual toothbrushes under the Minecraft license, as we know characters and licenses are a big motivator to get kids brushing.