Record-Breaking Big Smile Big Band by Michael A. Gow BDS (Gla) MFDS RCPS (Gla) MSc Hyp (Lon) PGCert (Edin), editor, DentaltownUK magazi

On 9th June around 900 people—including University of Glasgow Dental School students, staff and alumni, local dental practices, schoolkids and teachers, members of the public and even Glasgow’s Lord Provost—gathered at the SEC in Glasgow for the “Big Smile Big Band” world record attempt.

This was a mass participation project to set a Guinness World Record by creating the shape of a big smile orchestrated by the University of Glasgow Dental School. The Glasgow Dental School Big Band and the Glasgow Jitterbugs were there to provide entertainment for the record-breakers.

It was a fantastic, lively, well-organized afternoon. Congratulations to Glasgow Dental School, the organizing team and all the stewards, helpers, musicians and the potential ‘big smile’ record-breakers!

I was there with some of the DentaltownUK team to take part and help make up the numbers. We were given numbered wristbands and packs complete with flags and either a white or red rain mac (depending on if you were assigned to being teeth or lips). As we entered the main hall in groups, we were counted by officials and took position within a large chalk outline of the smile. DentaltownUK was positioned on the lower vermillion border, approximately 10 people medial to the right commissure.

There was a moment of panic when an impromptu premature countdown by overexcited participants left organisers pleading over a loudspeaker, ‘Stay in position or we’ll lose the record!’ Any concern quickly turned to cheers, however, as a horn indicated that the minimum five minutes to hold the smile had been completed and the record attempt was successful. All that remains now is for Guinness World Records to complete the verification process and confirm the final number of people.

The British Endodontic Society was a major sponsor for the event as part of the society’s Teeth for Life campaign and there was oral health promotion for school pupils in attendance by the Glasgow Oral Health Improvement Student Society.

Every year, as part of the Childsmile campaign, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Glasgow invite primary school pupils to enter the Sparkling Star Award competition, which encourages pupils to write a song to accompany tooth brushing. This raises awareness of good oral health habits and the profile of school tooth-brushing programmes.

Watch the song by Gavinburn Primary School that won this year’s Sparkling Star Award here.

Dr. William McLean, Hon Treasurer of The British Endodontic Society (britishendodonticsociety.org.uk), said:

It was fantastic to see so many people supporting the Big Smile Big Band. It is important to recognise that the aim underpinning this event was the promotion of an oral health improvement message and the celebration of the successes we have seen here in Scotland, especially in the excellent progress made in the oral health of children as a result of Childsmile.

‘The Big Smile Big Band event took place during National Smile Month, and this is the University of Glasgow Dental School and Glasgow Dental Alumnus Association’s contribution to this important event in the dental calendar. In being part of the Big Smile the participants have been instrumental in highlighting the importance of oral health. This event has been two years in gestation and would not have been possible without the support of many individuals and organisations. I have to thank amongst others the SEC for hosting the event, the British Endodontic Society as our major sponsor, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow Convention Bureau and, of course, all of our participants.’

DentaltownUK reported on the event with our very own ‘anchorman,’ Lawrence Sharkey, who graduates from dentistry this summer.

Watch Lawrence Sharkey’s video report from the event here.