They are the one's on TV commercials whose faces are not allowed to be shown. They are the one's when our dental appointments come up (probably the only time you don't want to get postcards) we don't want to see. Yet for every one of those expensive dental bills (whether they are covered by our health insurance or not), we end up wondering just what it is exactly that they do. Dental hygiene instructions? Sure, the dentist did tell me to brush my teeth. Fillings (3x)? Did I really need all of them? And didn't I get the same procedures done last time? Complementary toothpaste and toothbrush? But I thought they get them from the dental company sales reps anyway.

One gets the feeling that the low reclining seat, the eye protection that never seems to quite fit (and pinches the nose), the soothing music in the background, the lovely dental assistants all create the feeling that things are going too well. Of course, there's no way to prove anything is amiss, especially when you are sitting in that chair, and doing all you can just to keep your tongue out of the way of some dangerous and expensive looking instruments.

Many of us have known one or two dentist friends at some point in our lives. They will tell you their favorite brand of mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush, electric toothbrush, dental floss, etc. What they don't tell you is when they go and play golf, how they pick their dental assistants, and whether it is all worth the years of hard slog at dental school. And any good dentist friends you might have will refer you to his best friend from dental school, but never give you any real personal advice. Same as any doctors, but don't get me started on them. Of course, all dentists are not bad...it's just hard to like someone who drills holes in people for a living!