Dentists are often portrayed in a negative light in movies and stories. They are often seen as cold, uncaring, and only interested in making money. However, there are also many movies and stories that show dentists in a positive light. These stories often focus on the importance of oral health and the role that dentists play in helping people maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Movies That Feature a Dentist as a Main Character:
Little Shop of Horrors (1986): This musical comedy tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, a meek and mild-mannered florist’s assistant who discovers a strange plant that eats human flesh. The film features Steve Martin in an unforgettable role as Orin Scrivello, a sadistic dentist who gets his comeuppance. With catchy songs and dark humor, this cult classic remains a fan favorite.
The Hangover (2009): This American comedy film follows three friends who go to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning with no memory of the night before and the bachelor nowhere to be found. Stu Price, played by Ed Helms, is a dentist who wakes up to find that he has lost his front tooth. The three friends must piece together the events of the night before in order to find their friend and get him to his wedding on time. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $469 million worldwide.
Marathon Man (1976): This thriller features one of the most famous (and terrifying) dental scenes in cinema history. Dustin Hoffman stars as a graduate student who becomes entangled with Laurence Olivier’s character, a former Nazi dentist. The infamous “Is it safe?” torture scene has become a pop culture touchstone and makes this a must-see classic thriller.
Horrible Bosses (2011): This dark comedy follows three friends who conspire to get rid of their terrible bosses, including one terrible dentist played by Jennifer Anniston. With a great ensemble cast including Jason Bateman and Kevin Spacey, this comedy was a box office hit and spawned a sequel.
The Great Moment (1944): This historical drama tells the story of William Thomas Green Morton, the dentist who first used ether as an anesthetic in dental surgery. The film stars Fredric March as Morton and features a supporting cast that includes Anne Revere, Elizabeth Patterson, and Gale Sondergaard.
Novocaine (2001): Steve Martin stars as a successful dentist whose life spirals out of control after he becomes entangled with a mysterious patient played by Helena Bonham Carter. This dark comedy thriller combines suspense with Martin’s comedic timing for an entertaining and unpredictable ride.
Finding Nemo (2003): This beloved animated comedy-drama tells the story of Marlin, a clownfish who sets out to find his son, Nemo, who has been captured by a scuba diver. The film features a memorable scene in a dentist’s office aquarium, where much of the action takes place.
The Whole Nine Yards (2000): This dark comedy stars Bruce Willis as Jimmy “The Tulip” Tudeski, a Mafia hitman who goes into hiding next door to Oz Oseransky (Matthew Perry), a dentist. The film is a funny and suspenseful ride that features a great cast and some memorable scenes as the mild-mannered dentist gets caught up in the mob’s dangerous world.
The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002): This Canadian drama stars Campbell Scott as Dr. David Hurst, a dentist who suspects his wife of having an affair while dealing with difficult patients and family life. The film was a critical success and offers a thoughtful look at marriage, professional life, and personal struggles.
Tooth Fairy (2010): This fantasy comedy stars Dwayne Johnson as Derek Thompson, a former professional hockey player who is forced to become a tooth fairy after he accidentally knocks out a child’s tooth. The film is a fun and heartwarming story that teaches children about the importance of believing in themselves.
These are just a few of the many movies and stories where the main character is a dentist. These stories often show dentists in a positive light and highlight the importance of oral health.
Top Books Where One of the Main Characters is a Dentist
While dentist protagonists are less common in literature than in film, here are some notable examples:
Triumph Over Pain by René Fülöp-Miller (1938): This historical novel tells the story of William Thomas Green Morton, the dentist who first used ether as an anesthetic in dental surgery. It was used as the basis for the screenplay for the movie “The Great Moment.”
Eversmile, New Jersey by Bruce Brooks (1989): This coming-of-age novel tells the story of a young traveling dentist who provides free dental care while spreading joy throughout Argentina on his motorcycle.
The Tooth Fairy by Michael Molloy (2002): This children’s novel offers a magical take on the beloved childhood legend, perfect for young readers curious about where their lost teeth really go.
Dentist heroes in literature remain relatively rare, but these books offer unique perspectives on the profession and its practitioners.
Other Art Forms That Feature Dentistry
Songs:
- “Dentist!” from Little Shop of Horrors – The show-stopping number performed by Steve Martin
- “The Ballad of the Dentist’s Chair” by Tom Lehrer
- “Tooth Fairy” by Aqua
- “The Tooth Fairy” by The Jackson 5
- “Brush Your Teeth” by They Might Be Giants
Art and Paintings:
- “The Dentist” by William Hogarth
- “The Toothpuller” by Francisco Goya
- “The Dentist’s Chair” by Honoré Daumier
- “The Tooth Fairy” by Edmund Blair Leighton
- “The Tooth Fairy” by Maxfield Parrish
These diverse artistic representations show how dentistry has captured the imagination of creators across different mediums. From horror to comedy, from children’s stories to serious drama, dentists continue to play fascinating roles in our cultural narratives.
Whatever you do, don’t let a movie keep you out of the dentist’s chair. At Sky Dental, we are gentle and caring, exactly what you need from a Phoenix dentist.