I’ve only been able to glean a few details about the private life of Teen Dentist, who’s seen more of me lately than almost anyone else, but they all fascinate me:
- He likes Led Zeppelin more than he likes contemporary music. “They have some really great songs that most people don’t know about.”
- He graduates this May, but is going to do a residency at a hospital for a while because stuff like that helps younger guys get into orthodontics programs more easily.
- So all signs point to an aspiration to have a cushy orthodontics practice back on Long Island some day.
- His father is a dentist, but he doesn’t seem really excited about going into practice as the “and Son”. When asked what his father is like, he kinda frowns and says, “like most fathers, I guess.”
- Is Dad Dentist an orthodontist, or is Teen Dentist hoping to strike out on his own?
- Teen Dentist has a bit of an awkward way about him. (Adorable.) He knows he ought to crack more jokes, for instance, but he can’t seem to think of them quickly enough to use them when you give him an opening. He knows it’s a good idea to use your name when talking to you, but he kinda forgets until it’s a little too late, so there’s usually an odd pause before he inserts your name into a phrase.
- He seems to be a little intimidated by more gregarious people, like the frat-boy assistant he had that one time, or by the sassy lady professor that worked with him last night. Everyone seems to love him, but it’s like he gets social performance anxiety.
- He’s cute and very well-groomed, but hasn’t quite figured out a personal style that works. One day his hair was gelled into a fauxhawk, but that didn’t last. He tends to wear sweatsocks and brown dress shoes with his scrubs.
I swear, you just want to give him a makeover and a hug and send him off on his drillin’, fillin’ way. He makes me feel very paternal, even though I’ve only got ten or twelve years on him.