Frequently Asked Questions

In the U.S., Colgate currently funds eight mobile dental vans as part of Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program.

Each of our mobile dental vans is a functioning "dental office on wheels", specially designed to help establish a friendly comfort level for all children. Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, our mobile dental vans feature two dental chairs for conducting dental screenings and a waiting area where kids learn about healthy habits before their screening.

Our scheduled mobile dental van visits, education materials, dental screenings and treatment referrals are free to children as a part of Colgate's ongoing commitment to improving oral health among children.

Throughout the year, we bring Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program to local areas by organizing and participating in community events. Our 'van visit' feature engaging games and videos that educate and entertain children as they await their free dental screening.

Our free screenings are visual examinations conducted inside Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental van by volunteer dental professionals and general do not include preventative care. Parents and guardians receive screening results, a referral to local dentists if needed, and children take home their own Colgate® toothbrush and toothpaste to help build healthy habits at home.

Colgate's partnerships with the National Dental Association, the Hispanic Dental Association and the American Dental Association serve as the source for our volunteer dental professional. Colgate also partners with many dental schools across the country to serve underserved communities. Some of our volunteer dentists and hygienists have been serving their communities through Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® for more than 15 years.

In the U.S., Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® makes approximately 3,200 van visits each year.

Our fleet of Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans travel to select U.S. communities in need, providing free dental screenings and oral health education via our volunteer dental professionals. To view our current schedule, please click here.

Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans currently travel to NY, MA, NK, PA, DC, VA, MD, NC, SC, FL, LA, MS, TN, KY, MO, IL, MI, KS, AZ, TX and NV. At the end of each year, our team collaborates with governments, dental professionals, schools and community groups to identify areas in need for the upcoming year's van schedule. To submit your local community for consideration, please click here.

There are many ways to support the mission of Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures®. If you are a dental professional and would like to volunteer on-site with our mobile dental van, please contact your local organizer by clicking here.

If you are a parent, teacher, or community leader and would like to share our award winning educational curriculum with local children, simply browse our free online materials by clicking here.

At Colgate, we receive many requests from individuals and organization for donations. Since there are more requests than we can fulfill, we focus on organizations concerned with young people and education. Click here to view our donation policy.