“Totally inappropriate,” declared a dental hygienist.

“Dating patients doesn’t work unless you marry them," declared one dentist. “After you have dated a patient, and it doesn't work out, you lose the patient and a good source of referrals. My advice: No matter how right it seems, don't date a patient!"

“I became romantically involved with some patients when I was single, young and foolish,” recalled a dental implant dentist.

“I married one 51 years ago and am still married to her,” offered another dentist.

Read more: Dentists and Patient Romance

"Do you know how to ruin a good employee? Become romantically involved with her or him," said one orthodontist.

"It is a sure way to complicate your life," agreed a pediatric dentist. "Economically devastating also. I have seen the consequences with many of my colleagues."

"A very bad idea in the workplace," offered an endodontist, while a pediatric dentist advised, "Don't mix business with pleasure."

Read more about Dental Coworkers and Romance

Male dentists were significantly more likely than their female colleagues to have had a relationship with a patient. (Or at least, the men were more likely to admit to it…)

Read about dentists romancing their patients

Most caution against mixing business with pleasure, but a few happy marriages have been born in the dental office.

Read more: Dentists Find Romance in the Dental Office

Read more

In this survey, we asked dentists if they have ever become romantically involved with a coworker at their dental practice (other than their spouse). One in five dentists admits to dating a colleague or employee. Most caution against mixing business with pleasure, but a few happy marriages have been born in the dental office.

In this map, the redder states reported higher levels of office romance.

Gender played a distinct role in a dentist’s experience with office romance. One in four male dentists admits to becoming involved with a coworker, while only one in ten female dentists does.

Here are some comments from dentists:

• “A very bad idea in the workplace.” (Endodontist)
• “I won’t ever do it again. It cost me my marriage!” (Orthodontist)
• “Sounds like fun, but in the long run a bad idea.” (General dentist)
• “Bad for business… Can face sexual harassment charges.” (Prosthodontist)
• “I think it can work!” (Pediatric dentist)
• “While it was passionate and enjoyable, it clouded my judgment and almost cost me my office.” (General dentist)
• “At one time in my life I developed a relationship with my dental assistant. My personal life, if kept private from the office, is my own business.” (General dentist)

Read the complete dental office romance survey results

In a recent Wealthy Dentist survey, we asked dentists if they have ever been romantically involved with a patient at their dental practice. One in five dentists reports having dated a patient. The remaining 80% do not date their dental patients.

“It crosses the professional barrier and can cause problems down the road,” said one Florida dentist. “It happens,” observed a Connecticut dentist. “I married one 51 years ago and am still married to her,” boasted one happy New York dentist.

Read the full dental dating survey results to learn more about the Secret Lives of Dentists…