Colgate-Palmolive has announced a multi-year partnership with the WHO Foundation to strengthen global oral health initiatives, aiming to expand education, raise awareness, and integrate oral care into national health systems.
Oral diseases affect an estimated 3.7 billion people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), yet they remain one of the most overlooked noncommunicable diseases. The new collaboration seeks to address these challenges by promoting preventive care and evidence-based solutions.
“At Colgate-Palmolive, we are driven by our purpose to reimagine a healthier future and create more smiles,” said Ram Raghavan, President of Enterprise Oral Care. “Partnering with the WHO Foundation allows us to elevate oral health as a public health priority and strengthen health systems across communities worldwide.”
The partnership, announced during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, will focus on three key areas:
Scaling oral health education – integrating core prevention and education programs into government health infrastructure.
Supporting policy and guidance – assisting Ministries of Health in developing evidence-based, cost-effective oral health strategies.
Increasing prioritization – raising global awareness of oral health through cross-sector engagement.
Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, highlighted the importance of private funding in advancing public health initiatives. “Oral health is essential to overall wellbeing. Support like this enables WHO’s work to improve health outcomes for communities worldwide,” he said.
Colgate-Palmolive has a longstanding commitment to oral health education. Its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program has reached approximately two billion children and their families since 1991. Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership: “By strengthening health systems, we are building a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
The collaboration underscores the growing recognition of oral health as a fundamental component of global healthcare, particularly in addressing disparities influenced by socioeconomic status, education, and access to care.