Smile for self-confidence?

Throwback to high school prom: I remember feeling great
about my smile after having my braces removed.
  Lauren Kuhn

As many of you probably know, I am working with Donald B. Giddon, DMD, PhD on research during dental school. I plan to work with Dr. Giddon throughout my time at HSDM and will be pursuing the research honors track.  This all sounds very dry, right?  Well, I am thrilled because we will be pursuing answers to questions related to appearance and self-esteem.  We are still in the early phases, but I am constantly asking questions to which I hope to find answers:  How important is the smile to self-esteem and confidence?  Do dentists and medical doctors value smiles differently?  Is the smile the most important marker for attractiveness and/or judging a person's authenticity?




In a day and age where we are constantly prompted to consider whitening our teeth and are bombarded with images of perfect smiles and bodies, how important is the smile in the overall picture?  Is too much of a good thing a bad thing?  And in the category I personally find most interesting and exciting: How does the smile make people feel about themselves?

Does a smile matter for self-esteem or are future
dentists, like myself, just biased?
lauren kuhn

I'm excited to ask questions and be my own devil's advocate because I believe it will help me, as well as other future and current dental professionals, understand the role that dental health and a pleasing smile play in the lives of our patients.

Brushing and flossing,

Lauren


PS: I urge anyone who is thinking about whitening their teeth to consider that healthy teeth are beautiful teeth.  Consider consulting your dental professional first.  I also heard a rumor that flossing makes for a whiter smile... it's worth a shot, right?

Confessions of a Pianist

After performing the national anthem at a local pageant.
lauren kuhn

The Miss America Organization is set apart and cherished for its talent portion of the competition, which is not only fun and entertaining, but also carries the most weight in terms of contestant scoring (35%).  If you are a friend or classmate of mine, even if you've known me since preschool with Mrs. B, you are probably guessing that I will sing for my talent.

Performing the national anthem on the ice before some impressive hockey!
lauren kuhn

Surprise!  Vocal performance is not the only love in my life.  When I was in the fifth grade, I pleaded with my parents to let me take piano lessons like most of my friends who started in kindergarten... I wanted to be cool like them. Eventually I convinced them and I practiced on a small twenty key brightly colored toy piano. After some time, my grandparents who live two hours away loaned us their upright piano and I've been in love with the piano ever since. You might find me in the JBM Student Lounge practicing between classes, performing at random events or in talent showcases, but mostly, piano feels like a secret talent. It is soothing to express myself without words and I look forward to performing on stage during the Miss Mass pageant. Taking inspiration from Taylor Kinzler, Miss Mass 2012, who changed her talent for Miss America and then won a non-finalist talent award, I'm thrilled to perform a talent that might surprise some of my friends and family, since they mostly know me as a vocalist.  Especially after four semesters of graded one-on-one piano lessons in college, I'm excited to showcase my twelve years of love for the piano. It should be a lot of fun and I hope that if you're considering attending the pageant that you will contact me about tickets.  

A few confessions:  I've broken the pedal on my piano twice... and I've jammed a few of my fingers (ouch!) being overly ambitious with the keys.  

Lauren

PS: I picked out my swimsuit from South Shore Swimwear on Sunday and I'm excited to say that I chose a color that I've never worn before, even at the beach. I fell in love with the color and I'm excited to be adventurous.  It will be fun to showcase our new sponsor!  Check out their styles:  http://www.pinterest.com/southshoreswim 

You're in school, right?

Let me introduce myself. I'm Lauren Kuhn, Miss Collegiate Area 2014 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Am I a "pageant girl?" It depends on your definition. Am I a future dental professional? I sure hope so. Am I passionate about a few topics I think can make a big impact? Certainly. Am I traveling to Washington DC next week to lobby for better oral health care? You betcha... And I better hurry with this blog so that I can pack and finish my homework.

Just quickly, I wanted to let everyone know how excited I am for this year ahead. I want to congratulate Miss Middlesex County, Nicole DiBlasi, and also thank the current Miss MA for thoughtfully supporting every woman competing for Miss MA 2014. Some might ask, "Why are you competing in the Miss America Organization? You will be able to pay off your loans in the future and you can impact a lot of lives once you're a dentist." In this brief post, I want to express my gratitude for the present moment, in which I can focus on reducing my enormous student loan debt, as well as inspire young people, particularly women, in  Massachusetts. Why wait for great things to happen? I'm excited for this year and I thank everyone who has sponsored the Miss Collegiate Area and Miss MA scholarship pageants. Plus, I have fantastic mentors to look up to. Together, we'll raise awareness for higher education, the Children's Miracle Network and the possibility for all women to pursue their passions.  I have four words: style, scholarship, success, and service.

With gratitude and excitement,

Lauren Kuhn


*Please contact me if you have an appearance opportunity or school you wish for me to be involved with.

lauren kuhn