Colgate responds to campaign by the British Dental Association (BDA) and charity Beauty Bank to help tackle on-going oral health concerns.
A survey conducted by the British Dental Association (BDA) and Beauty Bank revealed the impact of poor dental hygiene on Britain’s schoolchildren (BDA, 2023). It found that 81% of the nation’s children do not have regular access to toothpaste and 25% of students are forced to miss school due to the consequences of inadequate hygiene.
Research released earlier this year, surveying secondary school teachers across the country uncovered some startling truths:
Smiles for Life
In response, Colgate has supported secondary schools in the UK’s most deprived areas. It provided half a million tubes of toothpaste as part of Colgate’s ongoing work to tackle the oral health crisis.
The study exposes a concerning reality. A third of teachers have witnessed students being bullied as a result of their oral hygiene and 50% of students admit to self-imposed isolation due to oral hygiene issues. This underscores the profound impact of poor dental care on teenagers’ self-esteem and social interactions.
In response to these findings, Dr Ben Atkins, past president of the Oral Health Foundation and general dental practitioner commented: ‘These results are sadly nothing new, as we increasingly see poor oral hygiene affecting a child’s experience at school. Dental issues are often seen as something we deal with at the dentist, but in actual fact, the impact of its effect can be having a hugely detrimental impact on our children’s everyday lives and future prospects.’
As the leader in oral care, Colgate is committed to championing a zero-cavity future. The support to schools is only one of multiple programmes from Colgate that aims deliver this.
For the 6th year in a row, Colgate partnered exclusively with Tesco for the Oral Health of the Nation campaign. This saw Colgate donate a toothbrush every time a customer purchased any Colgate Total (125ml) toothpaste. It included toothpaste bought both in Tesco stores and online through Tesco.com. Giving the public a chance to help make a difference.
Uniting in this collective effort can create a meaningful difference in the lives of countless children and families. It ensures that they have access to the fundamental tools for maintaining good oral hygiene.
More information on the research can be found here.
References
- Research conducted by The British Dental Association and Beauty Banks of 260 respondents
- Office for Health Improvement & Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2022. 23 February 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-ye ar-olds-2022/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2022 (accessed November 2023).
