Victoria is a Dental Hygiene Therapist, and has worked in Dentistry for 15 years. She recently completed a BSc in Oral Health Promotion. Victoria is totally dedicated to her profession and her philosophy that everyone deserves a healthy happy smile. Despite working in healthcare, her passion for the arts has always played an instrumental role in her personal life, knowing she cannot live without it.

Victoria is the founder of Smile Revolution, a creative platform connecting her professional and personal life, oral health and the arts. Art is her resource to support her mission in impacting healthy smiles.

Carrie:  How did you discover your interest in the arts?

Since the age of 5 I have been regularly involved in the arts ranging from acting, theatre, music, ceramics and dance. Art fulfills me and I simply can’t live without it. It is such an important medium for me, and over the years I have learnt that it helps stimulate all other elements of my life.  

Carrie: What is Smile Revolution?

The Smile Revolution is here to put a stop to oral health inequalities and discomfort through the voice of all mediums of art as here is a known connection between art, healing, and public health.

The Smile Revolution is reaching out to people globally through all creative mediums, to create pieces that will add to a collection of art that will communicate to the public and will help put a stop to the 10th most prevalent health condition globally (WHO 2010), that can be prevented and does not need to affect our smiles.

Oral health is essential to our general health and the quality of our life. Everyone deserves a healthy smile. The Smile Revolution is a call to action to drive healthy smiles globally through the full spectrum of creativity and expression.

The Smile Revolution is an umbrella to connect all creative mediums to produce masterpieces that will engage, provoke, impact societies and inspire others to want to care for their healthy smile. What does a Smile mean to you? Express it through your chosen medium of art.

Carrie: What inspired your creation of Smile Revolution?

A combination of my professional and personal life and understanding how much value art can bring in communicating the most powerful messages in life. Dental caries is largely preventable and it still exists, by reviewing existing ways of communication, enhancing communication through art is a way of  overcoming existing oral health inequalities.

As a dental professional I have a responsibility along with my colleagues in helping overcome oral health inequalities.  The communication of Oral Health has followed a very traditional pattern for years, and I feel the Smile Revolution can push boundaries, connect professionals and has the potential to inspire so many people by  transforming  the way we look at our smiles.

Carrie: What is something most people don’t understand or realize about your work?

That art is such a relevant medium to communicate health matters.

Carrie: What do you hope people will get out of your project?

I hope this project will start to have a positive impact on everyone’s smile that interacts with the project. I hope the project spreads positive messages on smiles. I hope the artists will gain valuable exposure and recognition for their contributions, I hope people will generally start to think more about the value of a smile and why a smile is so important in life.

Carrie: How can interested artists sign up to participate?

Please e-mail – info@smile-revolution.com

Carrie: Where do you see this project looking like in 5 years? (What big dreams do you have for Smile Revolution?)

I see the Smile Revolution being the driving force behind the world’s healthy smiles. I see the Smile Revolution popping up in multiple platforms and locations around the world, drawing people to the positive vibe of the Smile Revolution.

It is here to have a positive happy impact on people’s lives, and as a byproduct will draw people to take care and cherish the health of their smiles.

Carrie: How have you expressed your creativity today?  

I sang and danced with my daughter.

Carrie:  What is one creative resource you can’t live without?

I have multiple creative resources that I connect with on a daily basis, however the designer Alice Temperley is someone I constantly refer back to, as her work is a guaranteed source of inspiration for me.

Carrie: Who/what inspires you?

The great leaders of this world who have succeeded as such great leaders. People, nature, colour, happiness, and laughter inspire me.

Carrie:  How do you define Creativity?

Creativity is immersing oneself in a form of true expression, that pushes your own personal discovery to limits, fulfilling your needs and natural elements.

Additional Contact Info:

Website: www.smile-revolution.net

Email: info@smile-revolution.com

Instagram – @mysmilerevolution