Do you remember what inspired you to pursue dentistry?
Many of us in dental school get asked this question often. Among my other favorite Milton Bradley games such as “Hungry Hungry Hippos” and “Go To The Head of the Class,” was “Crocodile Dentist.” Playing as a child I thought one day I would become a real dentist! Well, twenty years later and in the thick of my journey through dental school, I still own my old version of Crocodile Dentist.
To some, the Crocodile Dentist may seem like just a game. However, this game may be teaching kids an even more important lesson. Crocodiles are like cousins to alligators, both belonging to the Crocodylia order. Alligators have recently been a topic of study, specifically their teeth. The teeth of alligators, much like those of a shark, are constantly lost and replaced. It is not uncommon for alligators to go through 2,000-3,000 teeth in their lifetime! Dr. Cheng-Ming Chuong, a pathology professor at the University of Southern California School of Medicine is exploring how alligators can serve as a model for understanding tooth development and regeneration. In that sense, it makes sense why the children’s game is about a crocodile. He will never run out of teeth! To learn more about what Dr. Chuong has discovered about alligator teeth, check out this article from The Keck School of Medicine at USC.
Watch this video of the 1992 version of the Milton Bradley game, Crocodile Dentist
When and how did you become interested in dentistry? Tell us in the comments below for a chance to win one of two free Crocodile Dentist games! Also, subscribe to the blog for an *extra* entry! Contest closes at 9am (CST) on Jan. 30. This contest is now closed, but we still appreciate your comments!
~Neek LaMantia, San Francisco ’16, electronic editor