New multi-year funding from Colgate-Palmolive, a global leader in oral care, through the WHO Foundation will support the World Health Organization’s efforts to implement the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023–2030. This contribution will help expand education and prevention initiatives, strengthen evidence-based guidance for countries, and raise global awareness of the essential role of oral health in overall health and well-being. Importantly, this support will reinforce WHO’s efforts to integrate oral health within the broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agendas—promoting common risk-factor approaches and embedding oral health in primary health care,
According to WHO, oral diseases affect an estimated 3.7 billion people worldwide, making them among the most prevalent yet under-recognized noncommunicable diseases. Despite their scale and impact, oral health remains under-prioritized in many health systems.
Why oral health matters
Oral health is closely linked to overall health, quality of life, and social outcomes. Poor oral health is influenced by factors such as income, education, health literacy, access to care and high consumption of free sugars. For children in particular, untreated oral disease can lead to pain, infection, difficulty eating or speaking, and challenges in learning, including reduced concentration and increased school absenteeism.
Addressing these challenges requires system-level public health action, led by governments and supported by strong evidence, prevention strategies, and sustained investment.
Supporting WHO’s work
The funding will support WHO-led action across three core areas:
● Scaling oral health prevention program, including health promotion and education within existing government initiatives such as school health systems.
● Strengthening research and evidence to support Ministries of Health to implement cost-effective interventions for integrating oral health care into national health systems with a specific focus on delivery at the primary health care (PHC) level
● Increasing prioritization, through global and cross-sector engagement that raises awareness of oral health as a public health issue and tracks progress and outcomes.
“Oral health plays an essential role in overall health,” said Anil Soni, Chief Executive Officer of the WHO Foundation. “Progress depends on long-term investment in prevention, trusted guidance, and strong health systems. Support like this helps enable WHO’s work to advance oral health and improve health outcomes for communities around the world.”
Building on existing momentum
Colgate-Palmolive’s support builds on its longstanding commitment to oral health education. Since 1991, the company’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program has reached approximately two billion children and their families worldwide with oral health education.
Advancing health for all
The WHO Foundation mobilizes private funding in support of WHO’s public health priorities, helping translate scientific guidance into action at scale. By supporting WHO’s oral health work, this funding contributes to broader efforts to strengthen health systems, prevent disease, and improve quality of life worldwide.
Oral health is not a standalone issue. It is a foundational component of universal health coverage and a critical part of advancing progress toward Health for All by 2030.
