Adrian Beltre joins Walmart, Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program for initiative

NEW YORK — Walmart is working with Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program to create a new initiative that offers free dental screenings and oral health education to children in need living in the Dallas area.

To kick off the “Building Smiles Together” initiative, Colgate and Walmart tapped Major League Baseball third baseman Adrian Beltre to appear at the Walmart Supercenter in Grand Prairie, Texas, on June 27. Colgate said its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures mobile dental vans, staffed by Dallas-based volunteer dentists, also will be on-site to provide free dental screenings, oral health education, treatment referrals and a “Building Smiles Together” kit that includes educational materials and a free toothbrush and toothpaste for children ages 1 to 12 years.

“Growing up, my parents made sure to teach me the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums and I do the same with my children,” Beltre said. “I am happy to be a part of Walmart and Colgate’s ‘Building Smiles Together’ initiative since it gives me the opportunity to help improve the oral health of Dallas-area children, educate [them] about healthy oral care habits and encourage them to strike out cavities for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”

In line with the program kickoff, Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and Walmart have launched BuildingSmilesTogether.com, an interactive site where families can access oral health resources, informational videos and engaging games to help encourage children to care for themselves by practicing proper, healthy habits. What's more, the companies are offering a free, trial-sized children’s toothpaste to all families who visit the website on June 27.