About:

• Smiles are such an important part of communication
• We see them far more clearly than any other expression.
• We can pick up a smile at 300 feet, the length of a football field

Smiles and the Social Arena:

• 94% of those polled said they are likely to notice a persons smile when they meet them for the first time.
• Almost half agree (45%) that bad teeth are a sign of bad personal hygiene.
• An overwhelming majority of adults (85%) consider a persons smile to be very important at initial meeting.
• 33% agree bad teeth overshadows the rest of a persons appearance.
• 71% believe people with a nice smile make friends more easily than people with crooked teeth.

Smiles and the Workplace:

• 74% perceive an attractive smile as important for getting the job of their dreams.
• Over one-third agree that a person with bad teeth gets fewer job promotions.
• Three out of four adults (75%) think an attractive smile is important for succeeding in the workplace.

Smiles and the Opposite Sex:

• 84% of adults perceive having an attractive smile as important for getting a date with Mr.or Ms. Right.
• An overwhelming majority of adults (85%) consider a persons smile to be very or somewhat important at first meeting.
• Almost 9 out of 10 (86%) think people with good teeth are more attractive to the opposite sex.

The value of a smile by anonymous:

• It costs nothing to create much
• It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give
• It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes last for ever
• It cannot be begged, borrowed or stolen, but is of no earthly good to anyone until it’s given away
• So if in your hurry you run across someone too weary to smile, leave one of yours
• No one needs a smile as much as the one who has none to give

This survey was commissioned by Align Technology, Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive