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We put a call out on social media for the most amusing things dental professionals had overheard in the practice.

‘A little boy was sitting in our waiting room watching adverts on the TV and one came on about gingivitis. He turned to his red-head brother and said “That's what you've got gingerrrr virus”. I almost fell off my chair laughing.’

‘A patient's daughter who was four-years-old told her Dad to “Man up princess” when he was having a check-up.’

‘In 1966 I was a resident in dentistry at the DVA veteran's hospital in Vancouver, Canada. A patient with very limited English had been receiving treatment and on the way out the receptionist said to him “Are you ok?” and then asked him “Which doctor did you see?” He replied gravelly, “Oh yes witch doctor!”.’

‘Me to child going numb: “What did you do at school today?”

Patient: “Writing”

Me: “What did you write about?”

Patient: “I don't know, I can't read yet.”’

‘I was treating an elderly gentleman. I had to go through the options with him of which there were three. He then asks me “How often do you do number 1s?” I of course kept a straight face, especially because his daughter was sitting next to him, but when he asked “and do you regularly do number 2s?” At that point I had to leave the room.’

Have you overheard something that tickled your funny bone at work? Email bdjteam@nature.com.