By Sharon Onyango, Directorate of Public Communication, CGS
A major push to transform oral health in Siaya County is underway after Colgate-Palmolive partnered with the County Government of Siaya to scale up awareness and preventive dental care across communities.
The strategic collaboration, implemented through the county’s Department of Health, aims to tackle the rising burden of untreated dental diseases among children and families by promoting proper oral hygiene practices and early health-seeking behaviour.
At the heart of the initiative is Colgate’s globally recognised Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) programme, which is rolling out school-based oral health education targeting learners aged 6–9 years in primary schools. The programme equips pupils with practical knowledge on how cavities form, how they can be treated, and—critically—how they can be prevented.
Speaking during the sensitization forum, Ken Oruenjo warned that gum diseases and dental cavities remain widespread in the county, with many cases going untreated due to low awareness and delayed care.
“Oral health is the gateway to overall well-being,” Dr. Oruenjo emphasized.
Under the partnership, Community Health Promoters (CHPs) will undergo targeted training to strengthen household-level education on proper oral hygiene, ensuring prevention messages reach even the most remote communities.
The campaign strongly urges residents to brush their teeth twice daily for at least two minutes, with special emphasis on night-time brushing—the most critical period for preventing bacterial build-up. Health officials are also linking oral hygiene to broader outcomes such as maternal and child health, noting that poor dental care can trigger wider systemic complications.
Colgate representative Rael highlighted the role of life skills education and sustained public awareness in curbing preventable dental conditions. She noted that while the BSBF programme is active in several counties, Siaya is taking deliberate steps to integrate oral health messaging into routine community health outreach.
Health stakeholders say the partnership signals a growing shift toward prevention-focused healthcare delivery in counties. By aligning corporate social responsibility with county-led public health strategies, Colgate-Palmolive and the County Government of Siaya are positioning oral health as a frontline priority.
If fully implemented, officials believe the initiative could significantly reduce preventable dental diseases, improve health literacy, and build a culture of lifelong oral hygiene among young learners and families.
For Siaya residents, the message is simple but powerful: better brushing today means healthier smiles tomorrow.
