Sponsored by Colgate, the Smile Grant supports national dental associations (NDAs) that break barriers to care through outreach, education, and community-driven projects. 

Read on to discover more about the impactful 2025 winning projects. 
 

Australia: Smiles Without Borders 

For many Australians, access to dental care is out of reach. Since 2021, the Australian Dental Association Dental Health Foundation has been changing that reality by coordinating pro bono services in partnership with volunteer dentists, charities, and community organizations. 

Instead of building new clinics, the foundation brings care directly to those who need it most through its initiative. Indeed, key programmes, including Dental Rescue Days, Adopt a Patient, and Rebuilding Smiles, provide much-needed care to people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and those facing financial hardship. 

Nearly 1,000 patients have received treatment through Adopt a Patient, more than 1,500 appointments have been supported nationwide, and scholarships have been awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing oral health studies. 

It’s a model that not only expands access but also strengthens the dental workforce, paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive future. 

Philippines: Little Doctors, Big Impact 

The Philippine Dental Association La Union Chapter’s Little Doctors Programme empowers Grade 5 pupils at Siwsiwan Elementary to mentor younger classmates in oral hygiene, preventive care, and basic first aid. 

Inspired by the pioneering research of Dr Artemio Licos Jr., the programme integrates daily toothbrushing drills, hands-on first aid practice, and household health advocacy to create a ripple effect of improved health behaviours throughout the community. 

As “Little Doctors,” pupils bring their learning home within their families and communities which is particularly vital in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) areas where access to care is limited. In doing so, the programme instils lifelong habits while fostering leadership and responsibility in the children themselves. 

The programme is designed to sustain itself. Each year, a new class of Grade 5 pupils steps into the role of “Little Doctors,” ensuring that the cycle continues and communities benefit long after the programme begins.  

One Shared Goal 

Both the ADA DHF Community Oral Health Project and the Little Doctors Programme exemplify the power of community-based initiatives in transforming oral health outcomes. By providing dental care to underserved populations and building sustainable health education models, these projects are creating a healthier, more equitable future; one smile at a time.  

Learn more about the FDI Smile Grant here: https://fdiworlddental.org/fdi-smile-grant