Did you know that every year in the U.S., kids miss about 34 million hours of school because of dental emergencies?1 In many rural communities and “dental deserts”—areas where access to dental care is limited or non-existent—the consequences can go beyond missed class time, posing significant health issues.
At Kenvue, we believe small, everyday routines like brushing, flossing and rinsing not only make us well, they make us whole—and can have a big impact over time.
As part of our Healthy Lives Mission, here’s how we’re bringing oral health education to communities that need it most.
We’re providing free, downloadable oral health education resources to 750,000 students and families across the U.S.
Through a collaboration with The Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s Health in Hand Foundation, the nonprofit Young Minds Inspired, and the American Dental Association, Kenvue and Colgate-Palmolive recently launched an educational campaign that brings oral health education directly to communities in need in nine U.S. states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee, Alaska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
These educator-designed resources help teach why brushing, flossing, and rinsing matter, and how caring for your whole mouth supports overall health. They also include a bilingual take-home letter for parents and caregivers with simple guidance on how to help keep their child’s teeth and gums healthy. The idea: to help support making oral health part of everyday care.
We’re helping connect families to local care.
For many families, finding a dentist nearby can be the hardest part of maintaining oral health. That is why the program also connects families with the ADA’s Find-a-Dentist® tool, FindaDentist.ADA.org, helping them easily locate trusted dental professionals in their area.
“Oral health is such a core part of how we can build healthier routines into our everyday lives. This collaboration is intentionally designed to help support better, healthier choices—and is a great example of how we are activating our Healthy Lives Mission by prioritizing people and health,” said Jennifer Duran, Global Head of Sustainability, Kenvue.
Through this collaboration, Kenvue is extending its purpose—realize the extraordinary power of everyday care—to classrooms and communities across the country, equipping the next generation with the education and confidence they need to take charge of their oral health—and invest in their own long-term health.