Colgate & TeamSmile: Two Decades of Tackling a Childhood Health Crisis

NEW YORK, NY – May 28, 2026 – A unique partnership that turns the excitement of professional sports into a powerful tool for public health is celebrating a major milestone. Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® (BSBF) program and the national non-profit TeamSmile are marking 20 years of collaboration, a period during which they have delivered over $24 million in free dental care and oral health education to more than 65,000 children across the United States.

This long-standing alliance is kicking off its anniversary year with a one-day dental clinic at the ShopRite LPGA golf tournament in Galloway, New Jersey. The event exemplifies their mission: providing essential dental services to underserved children in an engaging and accessible environment, complete with the chance to meet professional athletes.

Addressing a Silent Epidemic

The work of Colgate and TeamSmile addresses what public health officials call a silent epidemic: childhood dental disease. Cavities, or dental caries, remain the most common chronic disease among children in the U.S., five times more prevalent than asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all children aged 2-19 are affected, and for many, the condition goes untreated.

This is not a trivial issue. Untreated decay leads to pain, difficulty eating and speaking, and serious infections. The consequences extend beyond physical health, directly impacting education. Data shows that dental-related illnesses cause children in the U.S. to miss up to three school days each year. Children from low-income families and minority communities are disproportionately affected due to barriers such as cost, fear of dentists, lack of insurance, and limited access to care in their communities. The partnership is designed to directly confront these disparities by bringing care to the children who need it most.

A Game-Changing Playbook: Sports Meets Healthcare

At the heart of the partnership's success is TeamSmile's innovative operational model, which masterfully combines healthcare with the thrill of professional sports. Instead of a sterile clinical setting that can intimidate children, TeamSmile transforms major sporting venues—from football stadiums to golf courses—into vibrant, full-service dental clinics for a day.

The model is highly effective at breaking down psychological barriers. Children, often bussed in from local schools and community centers, are welcomed into an exciting environment where they can interact with team mascots and professional athletes who act as role models for healthy habits. This positive association helps reduce dental anxiety and creates a memorable experience.

Behind the scenes, these events are a marvel of logistics and volunteerism. TeamSmile brings in over $650,000 worth of portable dental equipment and supplies, creating stations for everything from initial screenings and X-rays to preventative treatments like cleanings, fluoride applications, and sealants. Volunteer dental professionals also perform restorative work, such as fillings and extractions, addressing years of untreated problems in a single visit.

"Colgate's 20-year commitment has been transformative for the children we serve and our organization," said John McCarthy, Executive Director of TeamSmile. "Its support goes far beyond funding, with the Colgate BSBF team providing critical, on-the-ground oral health education and resources. This year's investment in new equipment and staffing is a game-changer, allowing us to expand our reach and serve even more of the communities that need it."

Two Decades of Sustained Commitment

The 20-year collaboration is a case study in effective, long-term corporate social responsibility. Colgate's involvement, through its global BSBF initiative, has been foundational to TeamSmile's growth and impact. This year, the company is deepening that commitment with a significant new investment to fund additional staff for TeamSmile, a second mobile equipment trailer, and new state-of-the-art dental gear. This infusion of resources will allow the non-profit to run simultaneous events in different cities, dramatically increasing its capacity.

This partnership is a key pillar of Colgate's wider mission. Since its inception in 1991, the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program has reached approximately two billion children and families in over 100 countries. It is a cornerstone of Colgate-Palmolive's 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy, which includes a pledge of over $100 million to improve oral health literacy and access globally.

"For two decades, the Colgate brand's partnership with TeamSmile has played a vital role in advancing the mission of the BSBF program in the U.S.," said Anaika Forbes Grant, Manager of Community Oral Health for Colgate-Palmolive North America. "We're proud to help deliver oral health education as well as essential care to tens of thousands of children through this partnership, and remain committed to supporting TeamSmile in making healthier smiles for years to come."

Beyond a Single Event: Building a Legacy of Health

While the one-day clinics provide immediate and critical relief, both organizations recognize the importance of long-term solutions. A significant evolution in TeamSmile's model is the "Dental Home Project." This initiative focuses on connecting children who attend the events with local dental providers—such as community health centers and dental schools—for ongoing, comprehensive care at no cost. This crucial step ensures that the positive intervention of a TeamSmile event becomes the starting point for a lifetime of good oral health, not just a one-time fix.

The partnership’s work continues to expand. Following the kickoff event in New Jersey, additional TeamSmile clinics in collaboration with Colgate BSBF are already scheduled for later this year in Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas, ensuring that the mission to create brighter smiles and even brighter futures reaches more communities across the country.