Captain Holt's Dentist Rant

Summary

In this humorous exchange, a dentist discusses the complexities and misunderstandings around the title 'doctor'. They explain that while dentists are often referred to as doctors, their role is often overlooked, despite completing medical training. The conversation humorously contrasts the differences between medical and dental education, with a light-hearted commentary on how the term 'doctor' is sometimes diluted. The debate also touches on the broader use of the title in different fields, including academia, making the conversation both relatable and amusing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dentists are considered 'doctors' but face confusion over the term due to the differences in training compared to medical doctors.
• 😀 Dental school, though distinct, requires similar medical knowledge as medical school, including learning about the entire body.
• 😀 It's harder to get into dental school than medical school because there are fewer dental schools.
• 😀 The public commonly associates the title 'doctor' with medical doctors, leading to a misconception that dentists aren't 'real doctors'.
• 😀 Many people assume that dentists focus only on teeth, but they are trained in broader medical fields.
• 😀 There's a debate over whether PhD holders, like those with art history doctorates, should be called 'doctor'.
• 😀 The use of the title 'doctor' has been co-opted by various professions, diluting its original association with medical practitioners.
• 😀 The conversation humorously points out that calling someone a 'doctor' can create confusion when non-medical professionals hold the title.
• 😀 The speaker, who is a dentist, expresses frustration at how the title 'doctor' has been generalized to include non-medical fields.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the importance of understanding the differences between types of doctors, especially in a medical or emergency context.

Q & A

Why do people find it funny when dentists are called 'doctor'?

People often find it funny because the term 'doctor' is more commonly associated with medical doctors, especially those who treat general health issues. Dentists, however, specialize in oral health, and some people think that calling them 'doctor' is a bit of a stretch, though it is still correct.

What is the primary argument the speaker makes about dentists being called doctors?

The speaker argues that dentists are indeed doctors, having completed four years of dental school, which includes comprehensive knowledge of the entire body, not just the teeth. The argument is that if someone can be called a doctor after completing medical school, dentists should be called 'doctor' as well.

Why does the speaker mention that it's harder to get into dental school than medical school?

The speaker points out that it’s harder to get into dental school because there are fewer dental schools compared to medical schools, and many people aspire to become traditional medical doctors, not dentists.

What does the speaker think about calling college professors 'doctor'?

The speaker believes that calling college professors 'doctor' isn't the same as calling dentists 'doctor.' They argue that while professors with PhDs may be called 'doctor,' it’s not directly related to medical practice or the traditional role of a doctor.

How does the speaker react to the idea of someone on a plane shouting for a 'doctor' during an emergency?

The speaker humorously suggests that if someone were to yell for a 'doctor' during an emergency on a plane, they would likely want a medical doctor, not someone with a PhD in art history, highlighting the difference between medical practitioners and other types of 'doctors.'

What does the speaker mean by saying, 'medical practitioners have co-opted the word doctor'?

The speaker is suggesting that the term 'doctor' has largely been associated with medical professionals, even though the title 'doctor' can apply to anyone with a doctoral degree, including dentists and professors. The point is that medical doctors have become the dominant association with the title.

Why does the speaker refer to the situation as a 'trigger' for them?

The speaker refers to the situation as a 'trigger' to indicate that it frustrates or annoys them when people dismiss the legitimacy of dentists as doctors, especially since they undergo rigorous training similar to that of medical doctors.

What is the significance of the statement 'we do four years of medical school, now it's called dental school'?

This statement emphasizes that dental school is comparable to medical school in terms of the education and training involved. Although it's specifically focused on dentistry, the speaker points out that dentists receive broad knowledge about the entire body, just like medical doctors do.

How does the speaker's tone shift when discussing the idea of calling someone 'doctor' in an emergency?

The speaker shifts to a humorous tone when imagining someone calling for a doctor during an emergency on a plane, using this example to underscore the difference between medical doctors and those with doctoral degrees in other fields.

What does the speaker mean when they say, 'we live in a world where anything can mean anything'?

The speaker is expressing frustration with the way words and titles, like 'doctor,' are used and interpreted loosely in modern society, which can lead to misunderstandings or confusion about professional qualifications.