Smiles as currency: Why oral health is the new social capital in a changing world

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, the power of a smile goes beyond aesthetics. It’s a universal language that transcends cultural barriers, a tool for building trust and, increasingly, a form of social capital. While we often think of oral health as a personal matter, its implications ripple through our social, professional and even digital lives. In this article, we explore why maintaining a healthy smile is more important than ever and how it’s shaping our future.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
South African Dental Journal
Published
2025-03-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v80i01.21542
Primary Topic
Dental Education, Practice, Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Smiles as currency: Why oral health is the new social capital in a changing world

KC Makhubele
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South African Dental Journal
Dental Education, Practice, Research
article

Smiles as currency: Why oral health is the new social capital in a changing world

KC Makhubele
article en

Abstract

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, the power of a smile goes beyond aesthetics. It’s a universal language that transcends cultural barriers, a tool for building trust and, increasingly, a form of social capital. While we often think of oral health as a personal matter, its implications ripple through our social, professional and even digital lives. In this article, we explore why maintaining a healthy smile is more important than ever and how it’s shaping our future.

South African Dental JournalVol. 80(01)
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Dental Education, Practice, Research
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Smiles as currency: Why oral health is the new social capital in a changing world — KC Makhubele · South African Dental Journal (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS