• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, February 15, 2022

Colgate-Palmolive has launched a multiyear $100 million campaign designed to transform how people think about oral health and linking it more directly to overall health. 

According to the company half of all people globally suffer from oral disease which research has shown can contribute to more severe conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even mental health issues. 

Also the company notes, the pandemic is further exacerbating the problem with a significant percentage of people going days without brushing and years without visiting the dentist. Despite the evidence and risks involved, Colgate asserts, very few people understand the link between oral health and overall health. 

The company has earmarked $100 million for a five-year program intended to rebrand the $50 billion oral health industry. The intended result is to get people to think of oral health as the “gateway” to overall health. 

The first phase of the effort is what the company has dubbed the “Know Your OQ” campaign that helps people understand their “oral health quotient.”  

At www.KnowYourOQ.com people can take an interactive assessment to determine their OQ score. The website also includes information about the depth and breadth of the global oral health crisis and provides educational resources for primary care physicians, nurses and educational leaders as well as consumers to improve oral hygiene, encourage healthier habits and promote overall systemic health.

“Colgate-Palmolive has the opportunity to address a global health crisis that has far-reaching and significant impacts,” said Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and CEO. “We’ve got the team, the partners, the innovations and the motivation to reimagine a healthier future for all.”

In addition to Know Your OQ, Colgate’s efforts include research studies, a new accelerator challenge with non-profit Enactus, product innovation (like smart toothbrush technology) and advancements in connected health technology, and scholarships that support diversity within the dental profession.