The value of education can never be understated. It not only provides a strong foundation in life, but also opens doors and offers opportunities for a secure and bright future.
As an advocate of oral health, Colgate-Palmolive recognizes its contribution to better school performance among children. An estimated 13 percent of Grade 1 pupils drop out and never move to the second grade owing to several factors, including poor oral health.
The Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program, one of the most far-reaching, successful children’s oral health initiatives in the world, through its partnerships with governments, schools and communities, has reached more than 800 million children and their families across 80 countries, enabling children to achieve healthier smiles through free dental screenings and oral health education. This year, the program turns 25 years globally.
In the Philippines, Colgate-Palmolive works together with the Department of Education to implement the BSBF program and drive oral health education across public schools.
The Colgate-Palmolive Scholarship Program
Further underscoring its focus on education, Colgate-Palmolive Philippines also recently introduced the Colgate Scholarship Promo, which gives Filipinos a chance for their children to receive financial assistance to support their studies. With every purchase of specially marked Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection Great Regular Flavor toothpaste cartons or any Colgate toothpaste sachet, they are given a chance to win over P3.5 million worth of scholarships and prizes. There will be 25 winners of scholarship grants worth P100,000.00, 100 winners of P10,000.00 scholarship subsidy, 250 winners of P500.00 National Bookstore and 2,000 P15.00 mobile load. The promo is set to run until Dec. 15.
“This program is another way for Colgate-Palmolive to help more Filipinos achieve their academic goals,” noted Jay Custodio, Associate Colgate Director for Oral Care. “More importantly, we want to give them access to education so they can take advantage of the opportunities it opens to achieve a brighter future that they can smile about.”
Supporting future dentists today
This commitment is evident in Colgate-Palmolive Philippines’ Dental School Program, an education initiative that the company has been implementing in partnership with the Philippine Association of Dental Colleges (PADC) since 2001. The program provides financial assistance to deserving Filipino dentistry students in their third or fourth year in college. Colgate-Palmolive also provides continuous learning by having its own oral care experts participate in forums and symposia on dental health.
“We believe that supporting future dental health professionals will eventually benefit communities as it will help improve access to oral health care services,” said Dr. Angel David, head of Colgate Professional Oral Care. David noted that the program has produced 248 scholars in 25 dental schools, all of whom also support the Company’s various dental missions across the country.