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professional courtesy column » I’m No Anti-Dentite by Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, Editorial Director, Dentaltown Magazine

Let’s face it; dentistry is rarely depicted in a positive light Dr. Alan Feinstone who discovers his wife is having an affair through music, movies and television. We have been sub- with the pool boy. Needless to say, he snaps and takes it out jected to multiple viewings of Steve Martin’s depiction of Dr. on his patients. Save yourself some time and skip this one. Orin Scrivello in the 1986 film version of Little Shop of Warning: they made a sequel to this movie. Horrors. No doubt, you are tired of hearing about Frontline’s Ghost Town (2008): This romantic comedy stars Ricky joint investigation with The Center for Public Integrity titled Gervais as a prickly dentist, Dr. Bertram Pincus. His chairside Dollars and Dentists. This month I set out to aggregate a list manner is both deplorable and hilarious as he says many of dental depictions in music, movies and television. I hope things you can only dream about. Tea Leoni and Greg you enjoy this list: Kinnear co-star in this fun, family-friendly movie. Music The Hangover (2009): There are only 14 adults on the planet who have not seen this movie about four guys in Vegas Owl City – “Dental Care”: This pop song is guaranteed for a bachelor party that nobody can remember. If you are one to generate a chuckle or two. Here is a sample verse: of the 14, please put this on your priority list. Ed Helms plays “Have a seat,” he says pleasantly as he shakes my hand and practically laughs at me. “Open up nice and wide,” he Dr. Stu Price, a dentist with a missing front tooth. says peering in and with a smirk he says, “Don’t have a fit. Horrible Bosses (2011): Jennifer Aniston plays one of the This'll just pinch a bit,” as he tries not to grin. horrible bosses, Dr. Julia Harris, a dentist who is inappropri- Psychostick – “The Root of All Evil”: If you are look- ately affectionate with her male dental assistant. I would put ing for something with more of an edge, check out this speed this movie in the “dark comedy” category, and I can promise metal/punk track that you will not want to play in your recep- you will laugh at least once or 1,000 times. tion area. Television Galahad – “Dentist Song”: The vibe in this song The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978): In this classic TV reminds me of The Pet Shop Boys. The lyrics are quite spe- series, Bob Newhart plays a psychologist and Peter Bonerz cific; this is part of the refrain: “I’m drowning in the daylight. played Dr. Jerry Robinson, a dentist with an office in the I’m staring at the ceiling…” same building. Bob and Peter were the only two cast mem- Weird Al Yankovic – “Cavity Search”: If you are inter- bers to appear in every episode of the show. ested in pure parody then you should look no further than The Cosby Show (1984-1992): In Season 2, Episode 16 Weird Al. This is a parody of the U2 song “Hold Me, Thrill called “The Dentist,” Danny Kaye plays a wonderful dentist Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” and Yankovic’s twisted rewrite is who must convince a reluctant child to get into his chair for “Numb Me, Drill Me, Floss Me, Bill Me.” an exam. He also has some great exchanges with Bill Cosby; , Movies a classic 80s sitcom. Cactus Flower (1969): This classic com- Seinfeld (1990-1998): This epic television series edy stars Walter Matthau as a dentist who invented new phrases such as “anti-dentite” and “yada, yada, pretends to be married so he can avoid com- yada.” One of the dental-centric episodes is titled: “The mitment. When he finally finds a girl that Jimmy” (Season 6, Episode 19). In this episode Jerry’s dentist, he wants to marry, played by a young Dr. Tim Whatley, takes a hit of nitrous before putting Jerry Goldie Hawn, he must recruit his reception- to sleep for a procedure. Jerry comes out of his nitrous fog ist to pose as his wife. This is a great movie. to see both the dentist and his assistant getting dressed. The Marathon Man (1976): If you missed actor playing the dentist is Bryan Cranston, now famous for this famous dental scene, drop everything and his chemistry- teacher-turned-meth-dealer in the television find it. A teaser: Laurence Olivier vs. Dustin series Breaking Bad. Hoffman, “Is it safe?” Need I say more? There are many more dental references to add to this The Dentist (1996): Corbin list. Please visit the digital version of my article on Bernsen, best known as attor- Dentaltown.com and add some of your favorite media ney Arnie Becker on LA depictions of dentistry. Your questions and feedback are Law, plays a dentist named encouraged via e-mail: [email protected]. ■

22 MARCH 2013 » dentaltown.com