From Awareness to Action: Colgate Oral Health Movement Summit Leads the Way

Oral Health Movement Summit, held at Taj Palace, New Delhi, a dynamic fusion of data, vision, and storytelling, brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, and healthcare advocates to spotlight a long-overlooked aspect of public health—oral hygiene. The dignitaries presented interesting insights and collaborated in live brainstorming of ideas to drive the importance of oral healthcare. 

Hosted by Colgate India and News18 Network in association with Indian Dental Association, the summit served as a platform to unveil India’s first Oral Health Report and Oral Health Score, while initiating a focused dialogue on the critical role oral health plays in building a Viksit Bharat. At the heart of the summit was a sincere mission of transforming how India thinks, talks and treats oral healthcare. 

Acknowledging the gap 

“Oral health is an overlooked part of health, so the opportunity for us to establish and convey how it’s deeply tied to systemic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues.” said Ms. Prabha Narasimhan, MD & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India, in her opening address. Talking about Colgate’s Oral Health Movement, she further commented, “Building on the strong legacy of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program, we launched the Oral Health Movement last year, recognising that oral health isn’t a once-a-year conversation but a lifelong priority. Thanks to the generous partnership with the Indian Dental Association, over 50,000 dentists have offered free screenings. In just six months, 4.5 million Indians registered, and many of them visited a dentist, taking a definitive step toward better oral health.” 

Her message was clear: oral health isn’t cosmetic—it’s foundational, repetitive and for life and cannot be left unattended. 

A Minister’s Mission: From Policy to Practice 

The Hon’ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, delivered an impassioned keynote, drawing a straight line from preventive care to national progress. 

"Oral health is the gateway to the body," he said. “What we often ignore ends up affecting what we value most—our overall health and quality of life.” 

Sharing the government’s vision on healthcare, he shared insights on how the National Oral Health Program has scaled from 103 to 773 districts, with over 9,000 dental care units now functioning across India. He also highlighted the government’s efforts in integrating dental care into primary healthcare frameworks, including training ASHA workers for oral screening and increasing awareness at the school and community levels. 

The Hon’ble Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preventive healthcare, indicating that oral health screenings and integration into primary health frameworks are actively being pursued across India. 

Launching India’s First Oral Health Score & Report 

Honourable Health & Family Welfare Minister Shri. Jagat Prakash Nadda alongside our MD & CEO, Ms. Prabha Narasimhan, unveiled India’s Oral Health Report - a special publication summarizing the on-ground work, backed by dental screenings bringing together nationwide data and actionable intelligence. 

A Wake-up Call: India’s Oral Hygiene Score of 2.6 on 5  

Mr. Gunjit Jain, EVP – Marketing at Colgate-Palmolive India, presented the first-ever India Oral Health Score, derived from 4.5 million+ digital screenings. The result? A national average score of 2.6 out of 5, clearly a red flag. The score propounds a behavioural gap and not an accessibility issue. He explained that oral health is a composite outcome of three interconnected pillars: A (Habits) + B (Systemic Health) + C (Food Choices). 

"The rallying cry rising from all this data is simple but urgent," said Jain. "India’s oral health needs help." Jain stressed that affordability (₹2/day), time (2 mins), and frequency (2x/day) form a powerful yet underutilised tool for improving oral hygiene. This effective proposition empowers the common man to take charge of his oral health with minimal effort and cost. 

Advancing Oral Health Through Policy/ A Case for a National Oral Health Mission 

In a candid panel discussion moderated by Mr. Anand Narasimhan (Managing Editor, CNN-News18), packed with ideas and punches, the focus shifted to the systemic enablers of oral health in India. The panel featured Dr Indu Bhushan (ex-CEO, Ayushman Bharat); Dr (Prof) Mahesh Verma (Padma Shri awardee and Vice Chancellor, GGSIP University) and Ms. Prabha Narasimhan, MD & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India. 

Dr. Indu Bhushan underscored the need to integrate oral health into primary and preventive care frameworks. “One of the biggest gaps is that oral health is excluded from most commercial insurance, and even under Aayushman Bharat, oral health services are limited. If we want true universal health coverage, oral care must be seen as essential, not elective,” Bhushan noted. He also advocated for public-private collaborations to mobilise mobile dental vans, improve fluoride access, and digitise oral health records. 

Dr Verma called for a standalone National Oral Health Mission, stating, “Every second Indian suffers from dental ailments. This can no longer be a sub-bullet under general health.” Prabha’s passion for the subject was infectious, which reflected in her anecdotes and compelling data as she asserted, “We sometimes think oral health is too basic to talk about—but it’s often the basics we ignore. Brushing twice a day costs just ₹2, takes 2 minutes, and can prevent years of pain and cost. The behaviour gap, not access, is our biggest challenge. The real shift will come when oral health becomes part of everyday conversations—like nutrition, fitness, or mental health.”

From Policy to People: Humanising the Movement 

The summit also celebrated 12 Champions of Smiles: individuals and organisations working at the grassroots to improve oral health outcomes. From community workers in rural India to educators championing daily brushing habits in schools, the stories reinforced that real change begins on the ground. 

Empowering Families: One Smile at a Time  

In a second panel, moderated by Actor, Influencer and a mother, Ms. Mandira Bedi, the conversation turned to family habits and the role of parents and schools in reinforcing daily hygiene practices. The panel included  Dr Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association; Ms. Kishwer Merchant, Actor & Mommy Influencer; and Dr Sunita Swaraj, Principal of The Heritage School, Vasant Kunj. 

The Road Ahead: From Awareness to Action 

The summit concluded with the release of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Anthem, composed by noted singer and composer, Mr. Swanand Kirkire, enthusiastically performed by young children to symbolise the future of India’s oral health journey. The evening closed with a powerful message: India’s development story is incomplete without health equity and that includes oral health. 

“This is just the beginning,” Narasimhan emphasised. “With data, determination, and collaboration, we can build a nation of healthier smiles because every smile matters.”