Colgate-Palmolive, Hispanic Dental Association to brighten smiles with oral health campaign

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive on Thursday announced its partnership with the Hispanic Dental Association to launch Colgate's 2013 "Oral Health Month" campaign this July.

This annual campaign will help educate Hispanic American families about proper oral care through this year's them, "Unite for a World of Healthy Smiles." According to the HDA, nearly 40% of Hispanic adults live with untreated oral disease — almost double the rate of non-Hispanic whites — and twice as many Hispanic children are likely to have untreated cavities, in comparison with non-Hispanic white children.

"At Colgate, we care about improving oral health among Hispanic Americans. Our Oral Health Month campaign allows us to promote the practice of healthy oral care habits," said Carla Kelly, general manager U.S. multicultural marketing for Colgate-Palmolive. "By continuing our partnership with the HDA, we are able to leverage our mutual expertise and resources to reach these communities with the encouragement and information they need."

Colgate's month-long campaign will reach Hispanic communities by delivering bilingual oral health education resources online and by providing free dental screenings to children in need through Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures fleet of mobile dental vans. For every Colgate consumer who pledges to practice healthly oral care habits online at Colgate.com/OHM or by texting "SONRIE" to 24474, a dental clinic in a chosen city near the participant will receive $1 worth of Colgate oral care product.