What happens if all dental clinics, dentists, and dental tools (like toothbrushes and toothpaste) disappear? I imagine there is no panic at first.
Why would their be? This issue is not urgent.
It's not like everybody is suffering from toothache all at once.
No, there won't be any hysteria.
There is probably worry of course.
Dentistry is a major industry in our society after all.
But, people won't realize how major dentistry is until they feel the tar taking over their teeth and mouths.
Not until their breaths stink like sewer and they nurse major cavity problems.
Our species has lived without dental care before.
We know.
If ever this nightmarish scenario happens, we can still adapt and still survive.
But it has been ages since humans lived in caves and (sometimes) eat raw meat.
We have gone a long way since then.
Our generation and generations before us even only read such life in history books.
It is impossible for us to really go back to basics because we have felt, lived, and savored the glories of dental care.
Even if aliens have taken dental clinics and everything about it, humans can (and will) still find a way to continue living with toothbrushes and toothpastes-or their alternates.
This is just two cents, but thinking about the theoretic end of dentistry as we know it made me realize how important it is to our society.
It is like a subtle but persuasive force.
The one that makes us long for it once it's gone.
A dental clinic is not as overbearing as a hospital nor is it as offensive as an abortion clinic.
But it's there.
It's a presence.
I just wonder what whining children-the ones who hates going to the dental clinic-tell their children about their experience with the dentist when they grow up.
Do they act brave and lie? Even though dentists and dental clinic is just a small percent of our population, we can't deny that we need them to keep going.
What dentists do may just be a small part of our hectic schedule, but we need that to feel normal and accepted by other people in society.
In short, they help make the world go round.
Dental care's contribution is small, yes.
But that it contributes to make our live better is enough for us to love it and treasure it (albeit unconsciously) as a practice and even as a habit.
A nephew one told me that he loves going to the dentist because he always gets free stuff after every dental checkup.
This scenario and the scenario of wailing children on dental checkup day is a yet another example of perception and perspective.
It also proves that dentistry is already a strong institution that has taken root in our society.
Children get tantrums, but, still, they go and attend their appointment with the good dentist with a warm, bright smile.
It is not s force to reckon with.
But it is strong enough to assert its worth to all of us.