The 70,000 free dental kits will be sent to over 1,600 schools.
Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admission for children aged five to nine. According to the UK government, those living in the most deprived communities are 3.5 times more likely to have a decaying tooth extracted than children in more affluent areas.
Asda and Colgate have teamed up to support families in areas of high deprivation who are facing oral health challenges. The initiative aims to ensure that oral care products and advice reach children living in deprived parts of the UK who require the most support.
Hayley Tatum, chief people and corporate affairs officer at ASDA, said, “Children from the most deprived communities clearly face an uphill battle when it comes to receiving basic dental care.
“By providing the tools and educational materials to over 1600 schools and 70,000 students, we hope to help children establish healthy dental habits and behaviours that they can continue for the rest of their lives.”
Packs will include educational materials for families to help cement a good oral care routine at home.
Schools will be granted access to Colgate’s ‘Bright Smiles, Bright Futures’ school programme (which is aligned with the national curriculum). With a particular focus on supporting children entering the education system, the donated packs will help classes teach kids the importance of looking after their teeth and gums.
Participating schools will receive packs with the following materials:
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Educational leaflets
- Access to the Colgate 'Bright Smiles Bright Futures' school programme
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