Objective: Americans expect members of the dental profession to possess general understandings and clinical competencies that will satisfy their expectations for good facial esthetics. As a result of this public interest most dental schools have strengthened their training in the area of facial esthetics. This study sought to determine if there is a difference of perception between what experienced dental clinicians (seniors) feel are esthetically pleasing to them and what the general public (as represented by entering freshmen) feel is esthetically desirable.

Methods: The study collected data from 24 senior students and 24 entering freshmen. A questionnaire was given to each of the randomly selected participating students along with a view book containing ten different posed individuals. Each person included in the view book was shown with 5" x 7" color pictures of both frontal and profile views. Ten facial characteristics were used in the study. They are: 1) cheeks, 2) nose; 3) chin/jaw; 4) eyes; 5) teeth; 6) forehead; 7) neck; 8) complexion/skin; 9) lips and 10) ears. The questionnaire asked (a) what was least esthetic about each person included in the view book and also (b) to rank (on a ten-point scale) the ten individuals as "most esthetic" [8-10 points] to "least esthetic" [1-3] points.

Results: The study revealed that the senior students are 29.17% more likely to find the jaw as a major factor when defining esthetics. Senior students are also 15.8% more likely to identify the teeth as a key factor. On the other hand, the chin was deemed as more important in esthetics by the entering freshmen (15.84% difference) as well as the ears (17.50%) - and the neck (10.83%).

Conclusion: This study suggests that there are important differences in judging esthetics as viewed by lay persons and by senior dental students.

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