The power of the smile

Dentists as health entities, we always look after the well-being of our patients, but also, we also take care of the aesthetics of the mouth. I think that good work on our part can impact someone their whole life and a large part of it. It is incredible how a smile can change a person's life, give them more security, raise their self-esteem, in addition to giving them health or healing any discomfort or pain. There are studies that ensure that by smiling you release dopamine, the hormone of happiness, that is, having the power to smile can change your mood. Most people the first thing they notice is the smile, in fact, a smile can lead you to have a better job interview, since it makes you more desirable compared to someone who does not smile. I like the idea that, in the power that we have as dentists, with a good treatment, achieve these results and see that our work accompany and help our patients for a long time.

Summer 2020

My friend Vanessa on the right, Mirta at the center and me on the left.

This photo is accompanied by many memories. It was taken at the Humberston offices in northern Chile this year, when covid still did not affect our country, when covid still did not affect our families or us.

This was my first and trip of the year. My friend Pona from the university (in the middle) invited us to visit her hometown, Iquique, along with my friend Vane (on the right), that trip we had fun doing a lot and doing nothing. Some days it was just sun, beach and mojitos, and others walking museum to museum, taking buses to other nearby cities or as we appear in the photo walking in one of the many nitrate offices that are in the place.

The weather in Iquique was really pleasant, it was always between 25 ° C to 28 ° C, although if you don't use sunscreen you can burn your skin as it happened to me the first day I arrived. The sea is more temperate than in Valparaíso, many times we bathed at night and it was very cool.

At night we went for a walk on the main streets. I remember that the first day we went to a local festival and we walked the whole way from Mirta's house to the festival site because it was Sunday and there was no transportation, it was more or less two and a half hours walking, we saw the sunset until the night, when we got to the end the festival had just begun, thank goodness. Anyway, any mishaps we had did not affect us and that is why I love these women very much.

Bicycle for transportation

The bicycle has always been seen as an excellent toy for fun, especially for children. However, in the last decades we have seen how its use has evolved, currently it is already used as a means of transport for short distances. The success is due to all the benefits that riding a bike gives us, such as: keeping fit, saving on gasoline, reducing your carbon footprint, etc.

 Chile is among the countries with the most bike lanes in all of Latin America. Unfortunately, there is a deficit of bike lanes in Chile. We found both connectivity problems for the cyclist, as well as the poor conditions in which they have been built, many times appearing to be an obstacle course. These problems do not motivate new people to join the use of the bicycle as a means of transportation, since the physical integrity of the cyclist is compromised. It is but that new public policies about this will soon emerge to continue enjoying my bike journeys with my sister more safely.

My favourite piece of technology

Like any millennial, he grew up in the age of technology. Since I was little I remember having technological toys, computers, cell phones and items that allowed me to do some tasks easier.
But among all the technological pieces my smart band to do exercises is my favorite without a doubt. This band allows me to know how many kilometers I have traveled, my heart rate, calories burned, etc. I got it on my 16th birthday, 4 years ago. My sponsors gave it to me on that occasion, because it would help me with my swimming training. I like it because it is a very good way to see your progress in the sport. It is also very easy to use, you only connect it to the cell phone through an app and your data begins to appear. I use it whenever I exercise to keep data up to date.
I believe that life without it would make it more difficult for me to see my progress and how I can demand myself.

My career choice

When I was a child, I used to dream of being a costume designer like Coco Channel.

But when I started high school, my interest in science grew, which led me to pursue other interests such as dentistry and medicine.Obviously my family was happy that I chose a traditional and especially health related career. Finally in my last year of school, I decided to study medicine as a first option, but in the university selection test it did not go as expected and I had to take my second option, dentistry. Now, in my second year I see that it was a great option, I really like the concept of social dentistry and how you can change aspects of a person's life through a smile. I think if I had to choose a career again, I would choose dentistry.

Autobiography of a redhead girl

My name is Masiel González Conti. I was born in Santiago, Chile. At elementary school, I studied at Colegio Anglo in Maipú as well as my high school studies. I graduated in 2017. I was a very good student. At school I used to be in the science club, swimming, trekking  and chilean folk dance.


In 2018 I took a sabaticcal year. I went to study at Preuniversitario Pedro de Valdivia to prepare my university selection test. This year I also traveled to Perú to visit Machu Pichu and go trekking in Winikunka (Rainbow montain). It was a great trip.

My family is big, we are seven; my parents, my two brothers, my two sisters and me (the littlest). My mom volunteered for the red cross, and my sisters are nurses, hence my relationship with the health area.


I started studying dentistry the following year in Universidad de Chile, because I have always liked the health area for the women of my family.

Now I am in my second year of dentistry and I hope to continue learning, to be a great dentist.