Dentists often wonder why so many people are scared of them. After all, most dentists are just trying to help people, and use every option at their disposal to make the dental process as painless as possible.
Many people have had negative experiences with dentists that have soured their opinion of dentistry. However, one of the most common causes of dental anxiety is popular culture. There are plenty of shows and movies that involve some not-so-flattering portrayals of dentists. Here are just a few examples.
Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors, a beloved movie musical about a man-eating plant, features Steve Martin as the sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello. Between treating patients with no anesthesia and huffing his own nitrous oxide, it’s hard to think of a medical professional you’d rather see fed to a plant.
Sir Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man
In Marathon Man, Dustin Hoffman plays cat-and-mouse with a Nazi dentist, portrayed by Sir Laurence Olivier. In one of the most iconic dental moments ever put to film, he uses his skills in dentistry to torture Dustin Hoffman, trying to find information. Even people who love their dentist might feel a little queasy after this scene.
Dentist Sketch on The Carol Burnett Show
In this classic comedy sketch, Tim Conway plays a dentist who just graduated from dental school. In the process of trying to treat a patient’s toothache, he accidentally numbs his own hand, leg, and face with novocaine, leaving him to flop around his office until he accidentally knocks out his patient’s tooth.
Real Dentists Aren’t That Scary
With all of these floating around in your head, it’s understandable to worry that your dentist will be as sadistic as Steve Martin, or as bumbling as Tim Conway. However, that simply isn’t true. There are plenty of good dentists out there who work hard to put their patients at ease.
If these portrayals make you nervous, your dentist would also be happy to offer you sedation options that can calm any anxiety you have. And unlike many of the dentists in pop culture, they won’t use the drugs on themselves.
About the Author
At Bridge Mill Dental Care, we have everything your family could possibly need to feel comfortable and cared for. Whether you need a simple checkup or restorative treatments, we’ll make use of cutting-edge dental technology to get your treatment to be as efficient and effective as possible. Moreover, our incredible dental team will work hard to make you feel at ease every step of the way.
If you need proof that real dentists aren’t like in the movies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (803) 650-3925.