Smile and the world smiles with you (unless your teeth are less than pearly white)

Most of us take our grins for granted and it's time to acknowledge the impact of dental issues on self-esteem and employment prospects.

In her latest Newsroom article, our own Jo Cribb highlights some of the issues New Zealanders who can't afford adequate dental care are facing, especially in employment. Those that have less than perfect teeth are still being insidiously judged and it's impacting their chances of getting work.

Annually, the prohibitive cost of dental care in New Zealand leads to a quarter of a million people having their teeth pulled – Half of Māori and Pasifika people, simply can't afford dental care.

It's time for change, and we can all make a difference by checking our own prejudices when we encounter someone with a less than perfect smile. Let's spread positivity and acceptance regardless of someone's dental condition.

Join us in thanking the Clare Foundation for their support in helping us provide services that give our wāhine access to proper dental care.