[Appearance in dental practice: opportunity or puerile embellishment?].

Appearance and style of the dental practitioner influences the perception of the patients. The objectives of this work are threefold: To raise the awareness of the patient regarding style and appearance; Evaluate whether style and appearance contribute to creating a relationship of trust between the patient and the practitioner; Make suggestions on enhancing one's appearance. A questionnaire was sent out to practitioners, senior patients of both sexes, and to children of four years or older. The evaluation shows that patients make their own judgement in the practitioner as of the first encounter, and cleanliness and elegance are highly rated. Make up is to be applied in a discreet fashion so as not to shock or scare the patients. 95% of the persons surveyed were partial to the external appearance of the dentist. Appearance and style therefore matter, and may not be considered superfluous.