Characters of Japan Series : The Dentist

Age: Unknown

Sex: Presumably male, but gender has not been established due to limited knowledge

Likes: Cavities

Dislikes: Filling them

Natural Habitat: The abyss of your imagination

In America, more so even than in Europe, we factor in someone's teeth when we're assessing their attractiveness. As in, if they are not there or if they are not straight or if they are not white or white-ish, then that person is not attractive. It is for this reason and this reason alone that I subjected myself to braces for two years and a retainer for an additional year, and more recently, willingly paid my tooth care provider $2000 to fill my cavities instead of letting them rot out of my mouth.

In Japan, however, this is not the case. As long as your teeth aren't growing out of your ears you're fine. In fact, you can even be more than fine, you can be hot.

I shake my head at this.

When I was in Austin my friend's friend told me that I should get all of my dental work done before I get to Tokyo because The Dentist is only required to have a two-year associates degree. I'm not sure if this is true because I'm not sure if Japan has any Dentists at all. I think the idea exists, sort of like the Easter Bunny, but other than that The Dentist is a figment of the Japanese imagination, something they tell little children about in order to scare them into brushing their teeth.

Comments

[Neil Duckett]

It amazes me the state of some of the teeth here. The same girl with god awful shocking teeth is walking around with expensive clothes and accessories ... priorities need to be changed.

[-Paul]

this is close to my heart currently. Just started braces 7 months ago in Japan at the tender age of 39.. also many sessions of whitening, all my metal fillings removed and replaced with pearly white...needless to say I do notice other peoples teeth..and even growing out of your ears is OK if your a guy.. apparently.... the bit about only two years is BS... I am personal friends with my dentist and orthodontist.. there is no way it's a two year deal.

[john turningpin]

Lord knows how dentists make a living here. They only charge like 1/10 of what they bilk you for back in 'Merica, even after insurance.

For whatever reason, there is an *insane* number of dentists in my neighborhood. Dentists and beauty shops, lined up side-by-side. And yakiniku restaurants. Go figure.

[Chris B]

I think they are catching on though. I have an adult woman who looks like she was beaten severely in the mouth with a baseball bat, however.. most all of my J.H./Elem girls are sporting braces.

[Aislin]

Yeah from what I'm hearing, health care period is not great in Japan. It's very affordable, so everyone can afford it, but you have tons of doctors that really don't have the passion for thier work that most american doctors do. I guess it's the whole getting paid diddly squat thing. I have even heard that the heathcare system is now losing money and may have to raise rates to make ends meet.

Also to Paul, 2 years is not BS. All orthodontist evaluate each case as individuals. Depending on how bad your teeth are and your age, will determine how long you have them. Some needed only minor corrections and could be at it only a year. I only had braces 3 years with and expander the year before I started. I did not have a close relationship with my orthodontist, because the asshole would always give me newbies to work on me who hurt me every time, so I bit them. But it just depends on how bad your teeth are. Obviously T.C.'s teeth weren't as bad as yours.

[billywest]

I wonder if people not sporting much evidence of dental work here comes from a fear of the rough treatment they've had in the past. I've been to several different dentists during my stay here and have received brutal care each time. Still go, but Jeezus!

[-Paul]

@Aislin, the 2 years was referring to "The Dentist is only required to have a two-year associates degree" statement.. sorry for the misunderstanding.. I fully expect 3 years for mine also.

[Aislin]

@Paul. Sorry, I was confused, yeah 2 years for dentistry is a little short, but I think I have heard of 2 year colleges offering dental assistant degrees, but of course that is only assistants. Sorry againg for the confusion.