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Dentists: What’s Your Astrological Sign?

February 10, 2010 By 19 Comments

Dentists and astrologyLast week I talked about how "holistic dentistry” can be a good dental marketing choice. Most of the comments I received were in support of alternative dentistry.

So let's get even more "fringe," shall we? It's time to talk astrology & dentistry.

I live in California, where a lot of people take astrology quite seriously. "What's your sign?" isn't just a line – to many people, it's an essential bit of information that reveals clues to who you really are.

The dental/astrological connection hadn't occurred to me until someone showed me a magazine article from The Mountain Astrologer about dentists and the zodiac. It explained what you can expect from your dentist based on his or her sign.

Curious? (I know you are!) Here are a few highlights. Do you match your sign's description?

  • Aries: "A photo of your Aries dentist is hung prominently on the waiting room wall."
  • Taurus: "She will be careful and considered, steady and patient; she might even seem slow, a little bovine." (Ouch!)
  • Gemini: "He'll likely continue to chatter throughout the visit, despite your limited abilities to articulate."
  • Cancer: "She is very nurturing and pays attention to how you feel."
  • Leo: "Our Leo dentist simply looks good! Probably a neatly trimmed beard or goatee."
  • Virgo: "She will do a top-notch inspection. She will find many problems. She will schedule a lot of work."
  • Libra: "The Libra dentist can be gracious and charming, with a lovely office."
  • Scorpio: "It's not that she's any crueler than the others – just more honest about the process, pain and discomfort."
  • Sagittarius: "You will know for sure your dentist is a Sagittarius if he says 'oops' a lot."
  • Capricorn: "The high charges for such competent work might surprise you."
  • Aquarius: "Gotta love your funky holistic Aquarian dentist and yoga instructor!"
  • Pisces: "He seems so reliably competent and not really that empathetic."

- Nathan Elderkin

Curious, I did a little more research… here are some of the ways that astrology and dentistry can intersect. For example, apparently a waning moon makes a better dental appointment.

"The favourable time for removing plaque is when the moon is waning, because new formation is thus kept within bounds. The ideal time would be Capricorn days when the moon is on the wane, but this is not absolutely essential."

- from the book Moon Times by Johanna Paungger and Thomas Poppe

"I think it’s more than that— it’s not just about reducing the formation of new plaque after the cleaning. My impression was that the plaque was harder, there was more resistance on the pick, and the cleaning was rougher and more painful when I went on that new Moon in April."

- Molly Cliborne, Astrological Consultant

Astrologer Jan Spiller advises not to go to the dentist when Mercury is in retrograde. (Avoid car repairs and relationship decisions as well.)

Have you ever wondered about which astrological signs rule dentistry? (Roughly speaking, "rulerships" indicate an affinity with the sign and the planet that rule it.)

  • dental drills – Mars
  • dental hygienists and technicians – Virgo
  • dental trouble – Saturn, Jupiter
  • dentists, dentistry – Mars, Scorpio (the Sixth house, Saturn)
  • dentures – Neptune
  • drilling, drilling machines – Mars
  • teeth, in general – Saturn (Aquarius, Jupiter, Cancer)
  • decayed teeth or abscessed tooth – Saturn
  • false teeth – Neptune
  • teeth, lower – Taurus
  • teeth, upper – Aries

Rulerships for dentistry found in The Rulership Book by Rex E. Bills

Then there's Diana Stone, who uses horary astrology to determine if her client should find a dentist. "The chart was judged to say yes [i.e., she should find a new dentist] even though there were some weird indicators… Wrong! The client called to tell me that she did return to [her old] dentist and that he decided he did not want to deal with her any more and returned all of her money! She loves me."

So, what do you think? Has the zodiac ever affected your dentistry or your dental practice management decisions? Do patients ever ask what your sign is?

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About Jim Du Molin

Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet marketing expert for dentists in North America. He has helped hundreds of doctors make more money in their practices using his proven Internet marketing techniques. +Jim Du Molin

  • Nick

    What do I think? I think you are a nutcase. Astrology is a delusion.

  • Teri

    Great article. I think you’re very thorough, doing your homework like you did, but mostly because you did it at all. I’ve wondered before whether docs ever thought about such things as “best times,” etc., and if not, why not. It’s a well-known fact that ER’s are get crazy busy at full moon (which my husband, an interventional radiology technologist, unequivocally agrees with. Seriously, the Farmers Almanac has been in publication for over 100 years…so “timing” must serve some useful purpose.

    So I’m glad to see your open-mindedness because whether one believes in the astrology or not, I interpret this as a tangible sign of a creative problem-solver and an individual who would be more likely to listen to his patients. If the poster above is a dentist, he is at the disadvantage, as he dismisses off-the-cuff your ideas, based on one word: astrology. Well is this the guy you’d want looking into your options…about anything?

    At the very least, you deserve credit for creative marketing. And thank you for answering my question, can a trained doctor (who thrives on his very own learned skills, trained under the dogma if medical science) still think about those things he can’t control, thus gaining an advantage? Wow, I guess all things ARE possible.

    Again, great job, and good for you.

  • http://www.mollysastrology.com Molly Cliborne

    You quoted 2 paragraphs from my site and attributed them both to me. Actually, the first paragraph you quoted is on that I quoted from a book called Moon Time. Those are not my words.

  • Jim Du Molin

    Hi Molly –

    Thanks for the note. I updated the article to properly credit that quotation.

  • orest

    Actually, there were a number of studies of the “moon effect” and, when looking at the actual numbers of ER visits, police arrests, etc. they were no higher than other days. It is simply a case of confirmation bias with people remembering busy days when the moon was full and forgetting the busy days when it wasn’t full. The full moon days are more memorable because it fits what we expect because of the legend.
    As to astrology, there is no scientific evidence that it is reliable. The statements in the article are called Barnum statements: they are general and apply to most everybody.
    Although I can’t speak for the commenter above, I don’t dismiss astrology out of hand because of any “close-mindedness.” In fact, its quite the opposite. I have learned quite a bit about astrology and learned how it works. The problem is, there not much evidence for its effectiveness. If there is reliable evidence, then I would change my mind.

  • Matt

    Echoing Nick, I agree: if you believe this stuff, you’re a nutcase and I wouldn’t want you anywhere near my teeth. However, if the point is that promoting astrological guff can help your dental practice commercially, then fair enough. Fair enough if you think it is responsible to reinforce silly people’s ridiculous beliefs. Beliefs that they quite possibly waste a lot of money on. Beliefs that they may use to make decisions that could be seriously detrimental to their health.

    Astrology reminds me strongly of the whole creationism thing. You get 999,999 scientists saying it is nonsense and 1 fringe idiot saying “well, you can’t PROVE it’s not true” and suddenly that is a ‘scientific controversy’. People, no it is not. Astrology is truly a hangover from mankind’s childhood. We now know better.

  • http://TheWealthyDentist.com Jim Du Molin

    Thanks for all the comments, folks…

    I want to add that I’m not endorsing this astrological stuff! Just exploring some “fringe” topics and reporting back on what I find.

    The issue here is, take this as a marketing opportunity…

  • John Lombard

    Jim,

    Sorry, but your ‘disclaimer’ that “you’re not endorsing this astrological stuff”, and just suggest it as an opportunity, falls rather flat in the face of the tag line on the main page of your website. Let me quote it for you again, since you may have forgotten it:

    “You can be a better marketer and attract all the patients you can handle – without sacrificing your integrity.”

    Please explain to me — how exactly is marketing something that YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN, and that may actually be harmful to patients (either by giving them a treatment that doesn’t help, or by encouraging them to avoid treatments that they should have in favor of ‘alternative medicine’) ethical, or demonstrate integrity?

    “Yeah, I’ll pretend that I believe in something that I don’t really believe in, so that I can grab more patients” <– please tell me what definition of "integrity" this falls under?

    Yeah, I fully admit that this could work as a marketing tool. There are tons of people out there who, if given a choice between a 'normal' dentist (who only relies on that 'scientifically proven' nonsense), or a holistic/astrological dentist (who relies on mystic methodologies that are thousands of years old and steeped in ancient wisdom), would certainly choose the latter.

    But "integrity"?

    Puh-lease!

    Get rid of the nonsense about "integrity", and instead market yourself as, ""You can be a better marketer and attract all the patients you can handle – and screw your integrity." Then, at least, you'd be consistent.

  • http://www.thewealthydentist.com Jim Du Molin

    Whew!

    Listen, I wrote a light-hearted piece about how some people connect astrology and dentistry. I’m just reporting on what some folks out there believe. Even if you don’t believe in any of it, I would still think it would interesting…

    I’m not actually suggesting that you all start marketing your practices this way. I’m just telling you what’s out there.

  • Napalm

    Thank christ your not a dentist. Spewing this sort of drivel should be punishable by colonic extraction…

  • Teri

    As to a previous comment to the effect of, if a dentist believes in astrology, I wouldn’t let him near my teeth but…if its promotional, different story…let me tell you something U told my dentist, which was received by him like a sacrilege in Church. I don’t believe that mercury fillings are harmful and that the alternative, now mainstream option, porcelain, are promoted as safer because they are more profitable for the dentist. I have no doubt, based on his reaction, that he believes it, as I’m sure that since the A.D.A. promoted and repeated it enough that most dentists genuinely consider it common knowledge.

    But the fact is, claims that mercury fillings are bad for your health have not been proven; they have actually been disproven…by doctors and scientists. Check out Medwatch/DentalWatch. My attitude could have been, well if he’s drinking that Kool-Aid, then I’m not going to him (and I’m sure you will say that’s my perogative). But honestly, the cost difference didn’t particularly bother me and I really like my dentist. I remembered how I’d go and see him in high school, and I thought he was so cool because he played the Doors and other Classic Rock on the radio. So there’s another marketing tip when you’re aiming for the younger crowds–add Eminem and Snoop Dog if your demographics support it.

    But I would rather have a marketing approach based on something I like and I choose, rather being the target of a mass campaign by an association of lobbiests that use junk science in order to obtain increased revenue from consumers and insurance companies.

    On the other hand, I would never choose a dentist because he may emphasize astrology, and I tend to follow astrology with regard to trends. In the end, you just have to trust and like your dentist, so the best bet for a dentist is to relax and be his or her self. And play good music.

  • http://www.thevisibledentist.com/ The Visible Dentist

    I don’t understand all the objectionable comments; some even sound like the person is scared stiff. Jim’s not advocating you follow astrology or that dentists practice any particular model of dentistry. To the contrary, his post is simply an exploration into an interesting, albeit controversial, subject. Good grief; do all the drama queens come out during a full moon?!!! :)

    John Barremore
    Houston, TX

  • Teri

    I didn’t catch the article about alternative therapies so I can’t comment about how it might endanger patients, but seriously, if a dentist set up his practice based on astrology, he or she would be nuts, because how would they get anything done? Can you see him saying to the patient, “Now go on in the other room with the astrologer so ER can schedule your root canal….what? Jupiter’s crossing your ascendant–not a good time, too much risk of bleeding to death.” “Uh oh, Neptune’s prominent in your chart; not too much gas for you!” If anything, it’d be a PITA for the dentist–how would he get anything done? And then Patient A wants a second astrological opinion!

    But seriously, its not the the article was advocating prayer healing or anything, so no harm done, and imagining the logistics of the concept, you have to admit, is funny ;) And I like astrology!

  • John Lombard

    Jim,

    Sorry…but again, your protestations fall rather flat. Two quotes from you to illustrate. First, from your response to me:

    “Listen, I wrote a light-hearted piece about how some people connect astrology and dentistry. I’m just reporting on what some folks out there believe.”

    Okay, that sounds reasonable…until one reads your original article again, and views THE VERY FIRST LINE:

    “Last week I talked about how “holistic dentistry” can be a good dental marketing choice.”

    You have, in the very first sentence of your article, linked these things together with a “good dental marketing choice”. You’re NOT “just telling us what some people out there believe”; you are (directly or indirectly) promoting this as a potential marketing tool.

    Add to this the fact that your entire WEBSITE is about “how to market your dental practice”, and your protestations become even more vain.

    I’ll grant you kudos for printing my response…I’d expected that you wouldn’t, and give you a tip of the hat for printing something directly critical of you. But since your entire site is supposed to be about “how to market your dental practice ethically”, when you print an article like this, I’d rather expect you to put something at the beginning to tell people that you do NOT recommend this as a marketing tool, if that is not your intention.

    So, let’s clear the air here, and give you a chance to clarify. Simple question.

    Do you, or do you not, recommend that people should use astrology or other such quackery as a marketing tool in order to draw in more patients?

  • Julie Frey

    Jim has always advised each dentist to market his or her practices in ways that work for the individual dentist.

    Some dentists want to do crazy TV commercials, while others prefer to avoid the camera entirely. Decide which type you are, Jim would say, and market your practice accordingly.

    Some dentists have lasers — or Cerec machines — or training in sleep apnea — or whatever else — and these are all things that they bring to the table in their dental marketing.

    Some dentists strongly oppose amalgam fillings, and have translated that into successful mercury-free dental practices.

    Some take that a little further and identify as “biological dentists.” They have certain beliefs, and they practice a certain way. So they should market themselves as such! If it’s what you believe and it’s what you do, absolutely let patients know.

    And maybe, if a dentist happens to feel passionately about astrology, that could play a role in marketing for new patients.

    Hey — marketing your practice as “Se habla espanol” might be a good idea — but NOT IF YOU DON’T SPEAK SPANISH!

    Likewise, adding the zodiac to your marketing would only make sense if you personally believe it and want to find patients with similar beliefs.

    If you don’t believe in astrology, of course you should not use it to market your practice!

  • Humble

    Sorry to say, but IMHO publishing such articles is a sure way to Astrology discreditation.

    What is it about? To choose dentist based on your Solar Astrological sign? Well, it is not quite right…

    “..apparently a waning moon makes a better dental appointment…” – TRUE! General rule for any surgery – to have it done on wane Moon.

    But all other propositions in the article at least doubtful, if you want to advocate Astrology, please stick to simple and verified facts and do not complicate things beyond necessities!

    P.S. I use it as simple as that:
    Wane Moon, preferably in Virgo or Cancer. Definitely NOT in Aries or Capricorn. That’s it! Adding good transit map is a plus but really not necessity. Just find a GOOD dentist and use rule above, otherwise you will never find “the right day” or the “right dentist” to have your tooth done!

  • http://www.myrichmondhilldentist.com Dentist Richmond

    This is a very interesting concept of astrology and dentist. Although I highly doubt anybody would consider this in selecting a dentist.

  • sandy

    this is so interesting, i love it!

  • http://www.dirbull.com/Health/ Dentist

    Interesting concept. I wonder if anybody uses this to pick a dentist?

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