Ever woken up after a one-night stand, turned around and thought, "Really? What the hell was I thinking?" That's dentistry for me, except this one-night stand has lasted seventeen years and counting. Who would have thought that peering into people's mouths for a living would turn out to be the love of my life? Dentistry: the profession most people find repulsive, yet I've fallen head over heels for it. It's been a roller coaster ride, to say the least. In my heyday, I was seeing thirty-okay, let's be honest, more like forty- patients a day on the NHS, five days a week. Do the math, and you'll realise I've gazed into approximately three hundred thousands mouths over the years. That's a lot of "Say Ah" moments. Every dentist has heard it a thousand times: "Not sure how you look in people's mouths, doc. I could never do something so vile." Even GPs, who aren't shy about sticking their fingers in all sorts of orifices, often deem the mouth the worst of the lot. It's a sweeping generalisation, of course - I haven't met every GP in England - but it's a common sentiment that never fails to puzzle me. Did you know there are over three hundred different types of bacteria in the human mouth? Still want to share that toothbrush with someone? Welcome to my world - a world of small openings, medium opening, and wide openings. A world where innuendos lurk behind every corner, and half the dictionary is off-limits during patient interactions. "Nurse, suction please," "Don't swallow, you need to spit," "You're going to feel a small prick" - the list goes on, and trust me, it gets worse. But beyond the jokes and the grimaces, there's a profession that's challenged me, fulfilled me, and yes, even made me question my sanity at time. This is the story of how I, an unsuspecting dental student with dreams of a flash car, ended up in a passionate, complicated, and enduring relationship with the art and science of keeping smiles healthy. So, grab your dental floss and prepare for a journey through the highs and lows of a career most people would rather avoid. Trust me, it's going to be one hell of a ride.