In a significant step towards improving oral health across the country, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited has entered into a landmark collaboration with the Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI), the nation’s largest and oldest nursing community. This partnership broadens the scope of the Colgate Oral Health Movement (OHM), with the aim of embedding oral health into India’s primary healthcare framework.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at TNAI’s National Executive Committee Meeting in Delhi in the presence of Gunjit Jain, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive India, Annie Kumar, National President of TNAI, and Evelyn P Kannan, Secretary General of TNAI. The initiative marks a new chapter in collective efforts to address India’s oral health challenges, where preventive practices remain inconsistent despite widespread availability of oral care products.
Research highlights key gaps: nearly 80% of urban residents do not brush twice a day, 55% of rural residents skip daily brushing, and 91% of rural populations received no dental care in the past year. To bridge this gap, Colgate, in collaboration with TNAI and partners, will roll out a five-module e-learning course through TNAI’s platform and the World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA) network. This program is expected to train over 500,000 nurses and midwives by 2026, equipping them to provide oral health education and early intervention in underserved communities.
Speaking at the signing, Gunjit Jain emphasized: “Oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, yet it often receives limited attention. Nurses and midwives, with their trust and reach, can play a crucial role in prevention and awareness. Through this partnership, we aim to empower them with knowledge and tools to build stronger oral health literacy while leveraging OHM data to map oral health needs at the local level.”
Leaders of TNAI welcomed the collaboration, noting its alignment with their mission to strengthen nursing and midwifery competencies and improve community health nationwide. The initiative is also supported by the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation (CNMF) and C3 Collaborating for Health (C3).
Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd, with an 88-year legacy in the country, is the market leader in oral care. The company focuses on science-led innovation in oral and personal care while advancing sustainability and community well-being. Key initiatives include reducing plastic waste, conserving resources at manufacturing facilities, empowering women through financial and digital literacy, and promoting children’s oral health through the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program.
