Colgate-Palmolive receives Hispanic Dental Association award

NEW YORK — The Colgate-Palmolive Co. was recently honored by the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) with the organization’s Corporate Legacy Award. The award was given at the HDA’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas for its contributions to educating and supporting Latinos through community efforts and advocacy.

“When the H.D.A. was forming in 1990, Colgate was our first corporate supporter and has been a steadfast partner over the past 25 years,” David Pena, CEO and executive director of the HDA, said. “It's vital to have support from a company such as Colgate to bring more Latinos into the profession, to educate families and to be on the ground in our communities providing dental care where it's most needed. Colgate truly walks the walk.”

The HDA pointed to two initiatives that Colgate-Palmolive undertakes that have an impact on the Hispanic community — Colgate’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Future” program and its annual Oral Health Month bilingual awareness campaign. In its 25 years, the “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” initiative has reached 10 million children annually through a classroom curriculum and a van that provides children with free dental screenings, the company said. Oral health Month is typically in June and targets bilingual media channels.

“Colgate believes in the HDA’s mission and continues to innovate new ways to educate, empower and improve the oral health of Latinos nationwide,” Colgate-Palmolive VP global oral care Dr. Marsha Butler said. “We are honored to have received the Corporate Legacy Award and strive to leave a lasting legacy of healthy smiles for future generations.”