I was talking with some co-workers today about dentists and oral hygiene in general. A few of them had tooth troubles and were planning on visiting a dentist soon, and neither was particularly happy about it.

I’ve never had a fear of dentists (as some people seem to), but it’s not really ever been something I look forward to. We started discussing why nobody really likes to go to the dentist and it seems that everyone’s typical dental experience is one that is with a somewhat disgruntled or angry hygienist or dentist. I remember a particularly mean dental assistant when I was in middle school that flossed my teeth until they hurt and said it was my fault that it hurt because I didn’t floss enough.

Everyone appears to have one of those experiences. So, the question became: why do so many dental people appear to be so angry? I think it’s primarily because dental professionals live in a bit of a bubble. They live in the “oral hygiene is super important” bubble. It must be a bit like being a mathematical or musical genius where everyone else in the world thinks your work is interesting but a bit crazy.

So it must get to dental people. Why does no one else care about flossing? Why do these stupid people come in every year with more easily preventable cavities? And so, they start becoming belligerent. Who wouldn’t?