Beyond the Drill: A Dentist’s Plea for a Little Love (or at Least Less Fear)

Let’s be real—dentists get a bad rap. We hear it all the time:
 “I hate going to the dentist.”
 “Dentists are just out to torture us!”

But before you lump us in with supervillains, let’s flip the script and take a look at our side of the drill. Spoiler alert: we are not out to get you, we are actually here to help!

Our Daily Struggles (a.k.a. Why We Deserve a Medal)

Imagine working in a tiny, dimly lit space, maneuvering sharp instruments around moving targets (tongues have a mind of their own!), all while trying to sculpt a perfect restoration.

Sounds like a high-stakes game of Operation, right? Now add in anxious patients, the constant pressure for precision and the risk of getting bitten (yes, it happens).

In addition, let us not forget the physical toll. Dentists spend their days hunched over, squinting into tiny mirrors with hands cramped from gripping instruments like a sculptor chiseling a masterpiece. We might as well be dental contortionists just without the circus applause.

We Have Feelings Too, You Know

It stings when we hear:
 ?? “You are just trying to make money off me.”
 ?? “You must love causing pain.”

Newsflash: we don’t!

In fact, most of us went into dentistry to prevent pain, not cause it. We are not villains lurking behind masks, we are healthcare professionals who genuinely care about your well-being.

Trust us, if we wanted to make easy money, we would not have spent years studying dental anatomy, perfecting our craft and memorizing the entire periodic table just to pass chemistry.

A Small Plea for Kindness

We get it, dental visits are not exactly a day at the spa but next time you are in the chair, remember:

We are on your side! Our goal is to get you out of pain not into it.
We are doing our best. Small mirrors, sharp instruments, unpredictable tongues, it’s a daily challenge.
 A little kindness goes a long way. A simple “thank you” or even a smile (post-cleaning, of course) can make our day.

Balancing Perspectives

We know dental anxiety is real, and we are constantly working to make your visit as comfortable as possible. So to our patients, thank you for trusting us with your smile and to our fellow dentists, hang in there! Your work is important, your dedication matters and despite the occasional bite (we forgive you), you are making a difference.

The Final Word

Dentists are not bad people, we are more like superheroes in scrubs. We drill, fill, and bill but more than anything, we care.

So next time you sit in that chair, take a deep breath and remember: we are here to help you smile brighter, live healthier and (hopefully) fear us a little less.