Have you ever Googled the phrase dentists are? Let me save you the trouble and let you know that what pops up is not pretty (‘not doctors’, ‘greedy’, ‘sadists’) you get the point.

Why is it that so many patients see dentists as a villain, the guy twisting a long mustache and selling snake oil? We know that there is a sore lack of dental IQ in the general population. We are also often the bearer of bad news. We can also point to headlines where big corporate chains have tainted the profession by being deceitful, but does all that really matter?

How is it that our belief of who we are and the public perception of who we are be so disjointed? We are the good guys! We care about people who often don’t care about themselves. We offer free dental care and donate to charity—how does the villain in the black hat image persist?\

It turns out perceptions of good and bad, hero and villain, is an emotionally driven, psychologically complicated exercise. Most would say that drug dealers and morally corrupt politicians are bad guys, the villains in society. However, in specific situations these anti-heroes are praised and respected by the same patients sitting in your waiting room.

Drug Dealers

On the surface, a high school chemistry teacher turned meth dealer, responsible for the death of over 250 people including innocent children and law enforcement officers should be the villain of all villains. But not Walter White. It is more complicated than that. He has lung cancer and son with special needs. He is desperate to provide for his family. He may make poor decisions, but we can all empathize with his story. Walter White should by all accounts repulse us, but he doesn’t, we like him, and may even justify his amazing ability to make methamphetamine- why?

Lying Politicians

In 1998 a high-ranking politician committed adultery with a 22-year-old intern. Then, he blatantly lied to the public with the infamous “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” statement. Yet President Bill Clinton in a recent Wall Street Journal poll was overwhelmingly voted the most admired president of the last 25 years. Where is the outrage? Someone who swore to uphold our shared values lied to us; and yet, Bill charms and smiles and we still respect him. Why?

The Point

In his best selling book: I Wear the Black Hat, Chuck Klosterman takes on this inconsistency. I will save you the trouble of reading the book and give you the answer. The villain in the room is always the one who knows the most and shares the least. Walter White is venerated because we, as viewers, are given the behind-the-scenes of his life and struggle. We know it all. Bill Clinton is described as one of the most magnetic and likable people you could ever meet; he is genuine in interviews and has been open about his life.

So, could it be that our exclusivity, our very title as ‘doctor’ denote disguise? Do the white coats and masks, chart notes and strange language make our patients feel like we are hiding truths from them? Perhaps. If anything it is something to consider when you see your next patient. It may do wonders to take the mask off, smile and talk about the latest episode of Breaking Bad.