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Platforms such as Instagram have normalized self-adulation and this has affected many patients, and some dentists, in different ways. Some posts demonstrate excessive pride in the appearance of the mouth or face, and seem designed to induce envy in others. The resultant emotional impacts on envious followers can increase demands to have a similar sort of appearance, which can lead to over-treatment, or to potentially dangerous procedures being carried out on their mouth and face regions. This article explores the nature of narcissism and the increasing likelihood of it being ‘normalized’ as one significant factor in the increased demand for, and the delivery of, some questionable dental, oral and/or facial treatments. We outline how the narcissistic traits in some dental healthcare professionals might lead them to undertake elective, biologically risky, and irreversible procedures, which can invoke ‘the law of unintended consequences’ for patients and/or themselves. The terms ‘destructodontics’ ‘relapsodontics’ and ‘alignerodontics’ are suggested as being appropriate descriptions for some dentistry, which is carried out mainly for appearance reasons, but which can produce long-term biological and other problems.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: The normalization of narcissism, as demonstrated by some posts on Instagram and other platforms and in dubious advertising has many worrying implications and possible consequences for patients and the dental profession.
Article
Most people have some narcissistic characteristics, including the present authors. Narcissism is best viewed as a continuum, with the majority of patients and dentists being somewhere around the middle of a normal distribution (‘Bell’) curve. However, some people with serious narcissistic traits, including dental professionals, can pose significant problems.
Narcissists seek attention, praise and/or admiration from others. Many seek external validation from others (‘likes’), and some exaggerate their appearance, social experiences or accomplishments to achieve this. Narcissists can be passive–aggressive and self-critical, but many are hypersensitive to even mild external criticism. They can be arrogant and entitled (‘pride’), but not all appear so at the first encounter. Narcissists are often manipulative and hold grudges, and many are excessively envious of others (‘envy’). Some ‘lust’ after a facial or smile appearance that is to their exact specifications (to match their ‘brand’), and which they are convinced is their absolute right.
Some dentists, probably those with increased narcissistic tendencies themselves, appear to lust after lots of money (‘greed’), or for greater power, and/or for wider recognition of their artistic or other talents.
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