JUST a dentist...

"Oh. ...... a dEntist. I hate going to the dentist. I don't clean my teeth before going either; that's their job." - some comedian I saw at Tommy T's

I hate cliche jokes.  I know the comedian is just trying to get a laugh, and he got the obligatory laugh from me.  I wasn't offended by his jokes about dentists, but I've grown tired of them over the years.  Knocking dentists is as old as ... those yellow Sports Walkmans (click here if you don't know what I'm referring to).  I know, Walkmans are not that old, but it's my way of saying the jokes were once funny, but times have changed, even in a short period of time.  Technology has given dentists more to do, and jokes could perhaps evolve as well -- if you're a good comedian, at least.

You know what comedians put a really good spin on the Dentists Suck attitude?  Seinfeld and Larry David when they wrote for the sitcom, "Seinfeld".  Watch This Clip from the episode I'm referring to.  Basically, Kramer refers to Seinfeld as an Anti-Dentite after Seinfeld reasons, "He's jUst a dentist!"  Obviously, this is an old show, but the joke still feels refreshing.  (I actually encourage you to call Dr. Hashimoto "Denty" haha) 

All the cliches say dentists are medical school rejects, love to inflict pain, glorified teeth cleaners, and supposedly have the highest rate of suicide.  My humble opinion -- if your dentist actually fits the above cliches (particularly the suicidal one), you need a new one STAT.  Dentists actually have to do 1-5 years of residency depending on their specialty, not to mention the continuing education with the new techonlogy.  New technology gives dentists waaay more to do than clean teeth.  Hygienists clean the teeth anyway; one can even argue a good hygienist does more than just clean as well, but I digress.  Technology has given Dr. Hashimoto the ability to use laser technology that catches cavities at an earlier stage so that fillings can be done without anesthetic (no pain!).  Technology has also given us the only FDA approved oral cancer screening, so they basically use a scope with a special light that can detect early stages of cancer.  Cosmetically, technology has allowed Dr. Hashimoto to use a computer aided machine that designs an all porcelain crown that can be completed in one visit and is stronger and more asthetically pleasing than traditional crowns.  Phew... that's a lot.

I repeat that I welcome dental jokes.  Just be relevant or different.  Now, are you an anti-dentite or pro-dentite?  ;)

Toodles,
Pro-Dentite Tracie