DT News - UK - Dental charity finds best British Olympic smile

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 12 July 2012

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RUGBY, UK: British distance runner Mohammed “Mo” Farah has the most striking smile among Great Britain’s Olympians, a survey conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has found. The 29-year-old Somalia-born athlete will compete in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at this year’s Olympic Games in London.

Farah, who came to London at the age of eight, began running at school where he was spotted by his PE teacher. He won the European Junior 5,000 metre title in 2001.

For the survey, the BDHF asked more than 500 members of the public which of GB’s Olympians have the most striking smile. Farah topped the poll with almost a third (29 per cent) of the vote, ahead of heptathlete Jessica Ennis (25 per cent), diver Tom Daley (20 per cent), swimmer Rebecca Adlington (13 per cent) and cyclist Mark Cavendish (9 per cent).

An earlier survey by the foundation found that almost 70 per cent of the public believe that having a great smile equates to a greater chance of success.

Chief Executive of the foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, agrees and emphasises the importance of maintaining a healthy smile: “It is essential that we keep our smiles looking good, as they are often the first thing people notice about us. And with two thirds of us more likely to speak to somebody if they are smiling, it is easy to see the key to Mo Farah’s popularity.”

According to Carter, it also makes sense that a good smile could affect one’s success, as people who are smiling and feeling confident often perform better in the workplace. “If Mo, along with the rest of his GB teammates cover the track in miles of smiles it could hopefully spur them on to victory for London 2012”, he said.

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