Healthy Smiles for Life is an extension of Colgate's successful pilot program Bright Smiles, which delivered free dental care to needy children.
This national program will tackle the dental health problems of underprivileged Australians.

It has two key goals:

1. To bring together people in need with volunteer
    dentists for free dental treatment
2. To educate the community about the prevention of
    dental disease

The program will do this by promoting healthy habits to achieve a life long smile - brushing, flossing, rinsing and regular dental checkups.

Why was it launched?

The oral health of Australians, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is a serious public health problem. Research shows that kids in need have a greater increased risk of developing severe tooth decay, while one in every four Australian adults has been identified as having at least one tooth with untreated dental decay.1
Australians without dental insurance were found to have over twice the number of decayed surfaces as those with insurance.2

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia's dental generations 2004-06, 2007, p.99
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia's dental generations 2004-06, 2007, p.103.