A recent study in Norway found that patients tend to think more highly of their smiles than dentists do. The project took 78 patients in the 50-year-old range and asked them to rate their smiles on a visual analog scale (VAS). The patients were not seeking cosmetic dental care at the time. After the patients self-rated, two dentists, a GP and a periodontist, ranked photos of the patients based on the same scale.
Patients’ scores averaged about a 59 on the scale, and the dentists’ averaged around 40. Patients "were most satisfied with the gingival when smiling and least satisfied with tooth shade." Those under 50 years of age were most happy with their smiles. Highest ranking visual attributes to patients were eyes and teeth; women rated teeth, hair, and head shape higher than men ranked them.
The conclusion of the study was, "Dentists should be aware than patients who seek esthetic services may have different perceptions of their smiles than may patients who do not express such desires."