A Smile's Worth

From an anonymous author...

A smile costs nothing but creates much good. It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away. It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever. No one is so rich that he can get along without it. No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it. It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something of no earthly good to anybody until it is give away willingly.

Can a new smile make you appear successful and intelligent? New research from Dr. Anne Beall, a social psychologist and market research professional, suggests that a person's smile may affect numerous facets of how they are perceived by others. Two sets of photos were compiled: one set containing pictures of individuals before undergoing cosmetic dental improvements and the other containing pictures of the same individuals after undergoing cosmetic dental procedures. It should be noted that a wide range of dental improvements were represented across the photographs, including individuals enjoying mild cosmetic dental enhancements, moderate cosmetic dental enhancements, and major cosmetic dental enhancements. None of the photographed individuals had visibly rotten teeth, missing teeth, or catastrophically bad dental health in the before shots.

Dr. Beall divided study participants into two groups. One group viewed a set of "before" photographs, while the other viewed "after" photos. Participants were asked to make snap judgments about the individual in each picture, rating each person on a scale from one to 10 across 10 distinct characteristics; a rating of "1" was equated with the photographed individual "not at all" encompassing the respective characteristic, while "ten" was equated with a rating of "extremely." A sample of the responses provided by the 528 study participants is presented below:

Dr. Beall's study provides empirical support for what dental professionals have known for years: The value of one's smile is truly immeasurable and holds the potential to influence numerous facets of an individual's life. The next time you give or receive a smile, take a moment to consider the power and impact of this seemingly pedestrian gesture. When you think about it, the meaning and might of a smile is truly remarkable.