Mobile dental van
Bringing oral health education to children across the country
Mobile dental van
Bringing oral health education to children across the country
The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program currently offers nine state-of-the-art, mobile dental vans that are equipped to educate and provide free screenings to more than 10 million children in a typical year. These dental vans travel to under-served rural and urban communities in the United States to help raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health.
What happens during a Mobile Dental Van visit?
When children visit the dental van they are greeted by friendly volunteers, and a reassuring environment to help make the experience enjoyable. Our van visits feature games and videos that educate and entertain children as they wait.
Colgate's mobile dental vans are 32 feet long and there are two child-sized dental chairs aboard, so we can screen two children at a time. Children up to 12 years of age can receive free dental screening with parent or guardian consent and all children get a referral to a local dentist if needed.
After the screening, children take home learning materials, Colgate® kid's toothpaste and toothbrush, and brushing instructions to help build healthy habits at home.
Frequently asked questions
In the U.S., Colgate currently funds nine mobile dental vans as part of the Colgate 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 the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program to local areas by organizing and participating in community events. Our "van visits" 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 Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans by volunteer dental professionals and generally 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.
In the U.S., the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program makes approximately 2,000 van visits in a typical year.
Our fleet of Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® mobile dental vans travel to select communities to provide free dental screenings to children in need. To request a visit from the mobile dental van click here or if you'd prefer to make your request by phone, please call us at 1.877.672.3075.
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.
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Get the best of your oral health routine and take it to the next level with expert advice, recommendations, products and solutions and special offers.
