Is your polar bear personality responsible for your career in dentistry? 09 August 2026 This week in dentistry, research found that the 'polar bear' personality type is most common in dentistry, more than 500,000 tubes of toothpaste were donated to families and Cornwall's first Dentistry Summit highlighted ways to improve access to NHS dentistry across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Dentists and tigers and bears, oh my! Dentistry tends to attract people with highly precise, practical and methodical personalities, according to new research from business growth consultancy Growth Animals. Using an animal-based personality framework inspired by the work of Carl Jung and developed with personality type author David Hodgson, the consultancy found that dental professionals most commonly display characteristics associated with its 'polar bear' and 'tiger' personality types. Founder Chris Thornhill said dentistry attracts people who remain calm under pressure and are motivated by producing high-quality work rather than seeking recognition. According to the research, 'polar bears', who make up around 12% of the UK population, are characterised by high standards, attention to detail and a methodical approach. These traits are well suited to dentistry, where precision and consistency are essential, although the report suggests they can become resistant to change if they do not embrace continuing professional development. Meanwhile, 'tigers', representing around 6% of the population, are described as practical, adaptable and confident. Growth Animals says these qualities make them particularly well suited to roles such as dental hygienists and dental nurses, where quick thinking and hands-on problem solving are important. However, their tendency towards impatience can be a challenge during procedures requiring careful, methodical work. BSPD travel award recognises innovative trauma management case. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) has named Lisa Clarke, of the University Dental Hospital of Manchester, as the winner of its 2026 Max Horsnell Travel Award for an innovative approach to managing dental trauma in a young patient. Clarke received the award for her clinical case report, Preserving a growing smile: A splinting challenge in the mixed dentition, which describes the treatment of a six-year-old boy who presented two weeks after suffering severe extrusion of his incisors. Unable to use conventional splinting techniques, Clarke worked with orthodontic colleagues to develop an alternative stabilisation method. Three years of follow-up showed continued root development and maintained tooth vitality despite the poor initial prognosis, highlighting the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative clinical thinking. More than 500,000 tubes of toothpaste donated to vulnerable families. Colgate-Palmolive has partnered with charity The Multibank to donate more than 500,000 tubes of toothpaste and other personal care products to families across the UK. The 'Summer of Smiles' initiative comes as tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged five to nine years. Around 30% of five-year-olds in England have experienced tooth decay, while children living in the country's most deprived areas are 2.5 times more likely to be affected. Founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, The Multibank redistributes surplus products donated by businesses to families experiencing material poverty. The charity, backed by ambassadors including David Tennant and Peter Capaldi, operates hubs in Fife, Swansea, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Birmingham and London, where the donated products are already being distributed. Smile Together highlights NHS dentistry solutions at Cornwall summit. Smile Together has welcomed the outcomes of Cornwall's first Dentistry Summit, where its chief executive joined healthcare leaders to discuss practical ways to improve access to NHS dentistry across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Held at Lys Kernow and organised by Cornwall Council, the summit brought together representatives from healthcare, local government and the dental profession to explore the challenges facing NHS dental services and identify collaborative solutions to improve patient access. Speaking on an expert panel, Smile Together CEO Jasem Greval outlined how the employee-owned community interest company is expanding access to NHS dentistry through community-based services, outreach initiatives and preventive programmes. The organisation also showcased its work through an exhibition highlighting its mobile dental unit, school oral health programmes and partnerships with local organisations. Partnership aims to improve oral health for 115,000 children in Tanzania. An international partnership involving GC Europe, Bridge2Aid, Colgate-Palmolive Tanzania and Tanzanian health organisation THEDI is set to improve oral health education for more than 115,000 schoolchildren in the Sengerema District of Tanzania. The initiative, delivered in collaboration with local government authorities, will also reach thousands of families through oral health messages shared in schools, healthcare facilities and local communities. Sengerema District has a population of around 500,000 but is served by just two dentists and three dental therapists, making prevention and community education a key focus. Representatives from 60 schools and 44 villages took part, while GC Europe distributed toothbrushes donated by several European dental suppliers to participating schools and communities. Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends. What are your thoughts on this story? Get the most out of your membership by subscribing to Dentistry CPD * Access 600+ hours of verified CPD courses * Includes all GDC recommended topics * Powerful CPD tracking tools included

Colgate-Palmolive, in partnership with Shoprite, launch your share of 800 000 Kwacha Scholarship Campaign in Zambia. By Mwebantu Newsroom 15 hours ago No comments Colgate-Palmolive Zambia, in partnership with Shoprite Supermarkets, has launched a nationwide Scholarship Campaign that turns everyday toothpaste purchases of any two Colgate toothpaste into opportunities for Zambian children to stay in school through a share of scholarships and prizes worth a total of 800,000 Kwacha. This initiative is part of Colgate's long-standing Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) programme, which has promoted oral health to over 2 billion children and families in more than 100 countries and 40 languages since 1991. In Zambia, BSBF has reached 7 million children through school and community programmes that teach oral health and handwashing, helping them build lifelong healthy habits. The Scholarship Campaign also reflects Colgate's broader commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future for Zambian communities. "Colgate is in more homes than any other oral care brand, and this reach comes with a responsibility," said Chaile Kapambwe, Customer Development Team leader, Colgate-Palmolive Zambia. "With our Scholarship Campaign, every participating Colgate pack purchased at Shoprite becomes an act of generosity - a simple way for families to help keep children in school while also caring for their oral health. Together with our partners and shoppers, we are building a future that every child can truly smile about." Charles Bota, Shoprite Managing Director, Shoprite Supermarkets, added: It is "an initiative that reminds us of the powerful difference that we can make when we come together with a shared purpose. Education remains one of the most powerful tools for changing lives. It opens doors, it creates possibilities, it gives young people the confidence and skills to pursue their dreams. Today we are celebrating more than a marketing campaign; we are celebrating hope, we are celebrating ambition, and we are investing in the next generation of Zambian leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, health care workers and innovators." Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education commended Colgate-Palmolive and Shoprite Supermarkets for bringing together two essential pillars in a child's development: education and health. "Healthy children are better able to learn, participate in school, and reach their full potential. Good oral health is an important part of overall wellbeing, helping children grow with confidence and engage fully in their daily lives," said Dr Chilufya Kapeshi, National Oral Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Health. Ms Glenda Machiya, Senior School Health and Nutrition Officer at the Ministry of Education said: "Initiatives such as these complement national efforts to improve educational outcomes and encourage a culture that values learning and achievement." To participate, shoppers simply buy any 2 participating Colgate packs from any Shoprite store, Scan the Colgate QR code in-store or submit their till slip via WhatsApp (+260 772 052 195) and follow steps on WhatsApp for a chance to win their share of 800 000 Kwacha in scholarships and weekly prizes. Winners will be contacted directly and invited to nominate a student beneficiary. The eight-week promotion, running from 5 August to 5 October 2026, will support over 90 lucky Zambian families through either a laptop, contribution towards school fees, and Shoprite shopping vouchers, reinforcing Colgate's belief that every smile reflects hope, confidence and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Engage with this story Be the first reader to react to this story Discussion Join the conversation. Start the discussion Mwebantu reader Guest Please keep comments respectful. Hate speech and bullying will not be tolerated. No comments yet Be the first to bring a thoughtful perspective to this story.

Hill's grows in Q2 despite Science Diet dog food slowdown. Online channels and international markets drove continued growth, with the pet portfolio remaining a key contributor to Colgate-Palmolive's performance. Hill's Pet Nutrition, the pet food division of Colgate-Palmolive, posted a 3.4% year-over-year (YoY) increase in net sales to $1.2 billion (€1B) for the second quarter of 2026. Organic sales also grew 2.1% despite a negative 2% impact from the company's exit from its private label pet food business. Overall, the segment accounted for 22% of Colgate-Palmolive's total revenue. Operating profit for the pet business increased 2% YoY to $269 million (€237M), while the operating profit margin declined 40 basis points to 22.5%. Growth drivers. According to the manufacturer, quarterly growth was driven by strong e-commerce performance and omnichannel activations for Hill's Prescription Diet. "We grew in all segments across the business that we're focused on, except for Science Diet dog, where we've talked about the migration to small pets and large pets certainly deteriorating in terms of their ownership," Noel Wallace, Chairman, President and CEO of Colgate-Palmolive, told investors. Between April and May, Hill's began the phased rollout of Hill's Science Diet Single Protein dog food, its latest offering in the fresh segment. The launch was supported by the company's acquisition of Prime100. Half-year results. For the first half of 2026, net sales increased 5% YoY to $2.4 billion (€2.1B), while operating profit also rose 5% to $549 million (€483M). Wallace says continued investment in advertising and e-commerce performance supported Hill's growth during the period. The company also reported strong results from online-only retailers and during Amazon Prime Day, while its international business delivered mid-single-digit growth. The CEO confirms that the company intends to invest further in advertising in the second half of the year as it seeks to accelerate category growth. Company-wide performance. Colgate-Palmolive reported global net sales of $5.3 billion (€4.7B) in Q2, up 4.9% YoY. Organic sales increased 2.4%. Net income, however, declined 6.7% YoY to $693 million (€610M). Performance increased across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific, while Wallace highlighted Hill's Pet Nutrition as one of the company's strongest-performing businesses during the period. Guidance. For FY 2026, Colgate-Palmolive maintained its forecast for net sales growth in the range of 2% to 6%, including a low-single-digit positive impact from foreign exchange. The multinational also reaffirms its organic sales growth outlook in the range of 1% to 4%, including the impact of its exit from the private label pet food business. Meanwhile, it now expects its statutory gross profit margin to be roughly flat, compared with its previous expectation for a decline. Free articles read this month