In the age of social media, emojis are commonplace. That wasn’t always the case. In fact, when a Worcester artist first created the yellow smile icon, it was revolutionary! Since the original message has been lost over the years, World Smile Day was established in 1999. Now that it’s October 4th, it’s fitting that we take the time to talk about what it is, why it’s important, and how you can get involved.
The Meaning of the Yellow Smile Icon
Since its creation in the 1960s, the yellow smile icon has been commercialized, and the original meaning got lost along the way. The artist’s inspiration was to create something that would inspire others to share joy, kindness, and compassion, regardless of religion, ethnicity, politics, or any other differences. Each October 4th, this message is spotlighted in the hopes of creating a ripple effect of positivity, making the world a better place in the process.
The Easiest Way to Get Involved: Smile!
Whether you’re still adjusting to the back-to-school schedule or you have a particularly demanding job, it can be hard to find time to get involved. The good news is that’s not the case with World Smile Day; all you need to do is smile! Seemingly little things, like saying “thank you” to the barista making your coffee or waving hello to the person you pass on your morning walk, can mean more than you’ll ever know.
Other Ways to Participate in World Smile Day
If you like the message behind World Smile Day, and you want to take your involvement a step further, there’s good news: there are lots of opportunities to give back during this time of year! In your community, there may be classroom supply drives, Halloween candy donations, and a chance to pack Thanksgiving meals for families in need. One of the best parts is that getting involved is something you can do with your little ones, helping instill the importance of doing your part to make the world a better place.
About the Practice
Caring for the community we love starts at our office, but it doesn’t end there. Our team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is proud to be a sponsor of the local Boys and Girls Club and to support the Special Olympics as well as Spectrum of Hope. We are also a part of the Simply Doing Good Network, which helps facilitate classroom supply donations and hosts a Toys for Tots drive each year. If you’re interested in getting involved, don’t hesitate to call our Randolph office at (781) 767-7200 or visit our website.