Dental Miscellany

In my lifetime, I've been exposed to a fair share of dentistry. My aunt is a dentist. One of my college roommates and good friends went on to complete dental school in Virginia a couple years back. My home teacher for the last four years was a dental student. One of my best friends is married to a dentist and is, herself, a trained dental hygienist. There are currently at least two dental students in the Hill Street Ward. For a brief time in high school I even spent my Saturday mornings cleaning a dental office back in my hometown of La Crescenta.

So when I say this, I mean no offense to all you dentists, and would-be dentists, and friends and family who count dentists among their ranks of your loved ones. But the truth is, I just really don't like going to the dentist. I went this morning, and this afternoon my gums are sore, my teeth are achy, and I am $50 poorer because apparently "your insurance will cover 100% of this" actually means "your insurance will cover 100% of this as long as you pay $50 of the cost." So to help myself feel better about the dentist and all the dentists in my life, I thought I would compile a list of dental miscellany, to remind myself that dentists play a useful role not just in the health and wellness sector of society, but also in the leisure time and entertainment sector. Here goes:

1. Favorite Dentist-Inspired Poetry
"The Crocodile's Toothache," by Shel Silverstein

The Crocodile
Went to the dentist
And sat down in the chair,
And the dentist said, "Not tell me, sir,
Why does it hurt and where?"
And the Crocodile said, "I'll tell you the truth,
I have a terrible ache in my tooth,"
And he opened his jaws so wide, so wide,
That the dentist, he climbed right inside,
And the dentist laughed, "Oh isn't this fun?"
As he pulled the teeth out, one by one.
And the Crocodile cried, "You're hurting me so!
Please put down your pliers and let me go."
But the dentist just laughed with a Ho Ho Ho,
And he said, "I still have twelve to go--
Oops, that's the wrong one, I confess,
But what's one crocodile's tooth, more or less?"
Then suddenly, the jaws went SNAP,
And the dentist was gone, right off the map,
And where he went one could only guess...
To North or South or East or West...
He left no forwarding address.
But what's one dentist, more or less?

2. Favorite Form of Dental Amusement
Crocodile Dentist

(This game has to have been inspired by the poem, though I can find no evidence in a 30-second google search to back me up on this...)

3. Favorite Piece of Dental Propaganda
"Pearl White Teeth," from Sesame Street (of course)



4. Favorite Piece of Anti-Dental Propaganda
The Dentist Song from Little Shop of Horrors



5. Favorite Portrayal of Animal Dentistry
Dr. DeSoto by William Steig

(If you haven't read this one, you should. Don't worry, it's a quick read.)

6. Favorite Heroic Act by a Dentist
Hermey the Elf tames the Abominable Snowman.

(And he was a novice dentist!)

Okay. That's all I've got. Any other favorite dentistry-inspired media moments out there?