In the ever-evolving landscape of dental education, understanding the perceptions of dental students regarding facial and smile aesthetics has become increasingly crucial. A recent study sheds light on these perceptions, exploring the influence of various factors such as gender, education level, and family background on dental students’ views. Article Title: Assessment of dental students’ perceptions of facial and smile aesthetics: impact of gender, education level, and family background. Assessment of dental students’ perceptions of facial and smile aesthetics: impact of gender, education level, and family background. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07931-zImage Credits: AI GeneratedDOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-07931-zKeywords: dental students, facial aesthetics, smile aesthetics, gender differences, educational influences, family background, dental education, cultural competence.