The University of Glasgow’s Dental School has created what it believes to be the world’s biggest smile and is awaiting final verification that it has set a Guinness World Record. 

Hundreds of people participated in the Big Smile Big Band event, which took place at the SEC Glasgow on Friday June 9, including Dental School and other University staff, dental alumni, school children and teachers from the Glasgow area.

Participants wore red and white ponchos and formed the lips and teeth of a giant smile to highlight the importance of oral health.

Record Breakers

The record breakers were entertained by the Glasgow Dental School Big Band led by 2015 dental alumnus Callum Wemyss. The band performed the winning songs from the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Sparkling Star Award competition, written by pupils from Gavinburn Primary School, Old Kilpatrick and St Thomas’ Primary School, Neilston.

Professor Jeremy Bagg, Head of the Dental School at the University of Glasgow, said: “I am delighted that we were able to assemble participants in the shape of a big smile as Glasgow’s contribution to National Smile Month and I sincerely hope that Guinness World Records will verify this as the world’s biggest smile.

“The event has been a huge amount of fun to organise and our sincere thanks go to all of the many partners and organisations involved who helped to make this happen. The promotion of oral health, particularly in children, is an important message to get across. We hope that our record breaking event has been both fun and educational for all involved.”

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander, who was in attendance, said: “Glaswegians are famed for their friendliness. A big smile is a great way to win friends and influence people. I’m keeping everything crossed that the Dental School are confirmed as record breakers.”

Dr Margie Taylor, the Chief Dental Officer for Scotland, said: ““I am delighted to be involved in this event which highlights the importance of oral health in such a fun way and celebrates Scotland's Childsmile programme. I hope that the Big Smile Big Band team manages the widest smile ever.”

Biggest smile record attempt

Raising Awareness

Dr Colwyn Jones, Consultant in Dental Public Health/Head of the Evidence for Action Team at NHS Health Scotland said: “Congratulations to Professor Bagg and his team in organising this record breaking event. Oral health in Scotland has improved, but not at the same rate for everyone. As with most human diseases, children living in the poorest areas are more likely to have tooth decay.

“Events like the one organised today allow us to remind people that tooth decay is almost entirely preventable. NHS Health Scotland supports the roll out and implementation of Childsmile. Childsmile is a national prevention programme which has improved the oral health of children in Scotland and reduced health inequalities both in dental health and access to dental services.”

The University of Glasgow event, which took place during National Smile Month, was organised in collaboration with CPD Scotland, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Scotland/Childsmile, the SEC Glasgow, Glasgow Dental Alumnus Association and Glasgow Oral Health Improvement Student Society. Thanks are due to the event’s main financial sponsor, the British Endodontic Society, and supporters, Cordent, the Dental Defence Union and the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow.

First published: 12 June 2017

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