Colgate hasn’t publicly named a single UK-based leader for its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme. Instead, the initiative is driven by Colgate-Palmolive’s UK team in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care and local authorities across England. The programme’s rollout—especially the new supervised toothbrushing scheme for children aged 3 to 5—is a joint effort between Colgate and the UK government, with support from MPs like Stephen Morgan and Stephen Kinnock.
So while there’s no single figurehead, it’s very much a team-led mission grounded in public-private partnership.
Supervised Toothbrushing Scheme (UK Government & Colgate) Launched in 2025, this national programme targets children aged 3 to 5 in deprived areas. It provides free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and educational materials to nurseries and schools, aiming to reduce tooth decay and hospital admissions.
🏫 Asda & Colgate Dental Kit Donation In 2024, Asda partnered with Colgate to donate 70,000 dental kits to over 1,600 schools. Each kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, brushing chart, and educational leaflet. The initiative focuses on children in the most deprived communities and aligns with the National Curriculum.
🧑⚕️ Dental Practice Outreach Packs Colgate also sends Bright Smiles, Bright Futures packs to over 10,000 UK dental practices. These help dental professionals support parents in building healthy oral habits for their children.
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Daily Routine in Classrooms
- Children brush their teeth once a day, usually after lunch or snack time.
- Brushing is done for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
- Staff use sand timers or music to help children brush for the correct duration.
🧑🏫 Staff Training & Supervision
- Teachers and nursery staff receive training on proper brushing techniques and hygiene protocols.
- Staff supervise brushing to ensure children don’t swallow toothpaste, spit without rinsing, and use the correct amount.
🧼 Hygiene & Equipment
- Each child has their own labelled toothbrush, stored in a covered container called a Brush Bus.
- Toothbrushes are replaced each term, and toothpaste is provided by Colgate or local authorities.
- Brushing can be done at sinks or in “dry areas” using napkins and paper towels to maintain hygiene.
📝 Consent & Monitoring
- Parents are asked to give consent for their child to participate.
- Schools complete a checklist each term to monitor effectiveness and compliance.
🧪 Evidence-Based Practice
- The scheme follows guidance from the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities and is backed by research showing fluoride toothpaste significantly reduces tooth decay3
Anaika Forbes Grant leads a passionate team at Colgate-Palmolive’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures programme, and their operations are as hands-on as they are heartfelt. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how her team brings oral health education to life:
🚐 Mobile Dental Vans
- Anaika’s team deploys 32-foot mobile dental vans across the U.S., each equipped with child-sized dental chairs.
- These vans visit schools, community centres, and events like SmileCon, offering free dental screenings, education, and referrals.
- Each van makes up to 2,000 visits per year, reaching children who might otherwise lack access to dental care.
🧑🏫 Community Engagement
- The team partners with dentists, hygienists, teachers, and volunteers to deliver oral health lessons through games, storytelling, and interactive activities.
- Anaika describes the work as her “love,” not just her job—highlighting the deep commitment her team shares to uplifting underserved communities.
🌍 Global Coordination
- Though Anaika is based in the U.S., her team collaborates with Colgate’s global Community Impact network, reaching children from the Philippines to Kenya.
- They work with NGOs, ministries of health, and educators to adapt the programme to local cultures and languages.
🎓 Leadership & Advocacy
- Anaika also serves as a delegate for the Global Oral Health Leadership Institute, where she helps shape policy and strategy for international oral health equity.
- Her team’s work is featured in Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures hub, showcasing their mission to reach 2 billion children by 2025.
It’s a blend of grassroots action and global vision, powered by a team that believes every child deserves a healthy smile. Want to explore how these mobile vans are funded or how they’re received by local communities