On Amish “Dentists”
Do the Amish have their own dentists? Well, not in the sense of the certified, licensed professionals that you think of when you think “dentist”.
But they do have people who provide basic dental services in some communities. This basically boils down to pulling teeth – both the ones you can see, and wisdom teeth – and some who make dentures to replace those pulled teeth.
Since Amish generally only go through eight grades of formal education, there is no pathway for Amish to become dentists, which requires higher institutional learning.
However, there is a definite need in many Amish communities for tooth-pulling services (some might say the greater need in some communities is for better dental hygiene, but I’ll leave that topic alone for now). Even quite young people end up having their teeth pulled and replaced with dentures.
Now I don’t want to give the impression that all Amish are getting their teeth pulled, or not brushing regularly and so on. Some, if not many Amish people of course do maintain good dental hygiene and go to “regular” dentists for modern dental care. Some even get primarily cosmetic treatments, like braces.
However, in certain communities, removing teeth (and avoiding expensive modern dental care) and then replacing them with dentures is seen as a more affordable and practical approach to things, when it comes to the pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites.
Examples of Amish dental work
Another question: Do Amish dentists only pull, for lack of a better word, rotten teeth? Well, maybe not always.
This aspect of life in some Amish communities got a lot of attention following an episode of the program “Breaking Amish” some years ago. In one episode, Rebecca, a young woman in her early 20s, shocked viewers by removing a full set of dentures from her mouth. Her teeth had all been pulled at age 19.
This was described as “Amish tradition”.
Over the years I have come across several accounts describing the work of Amish dentists. Rich Stevick described his encounters (strictly as an observer) with Amish dentists. Other readers also shared their experiences, including one who once drove taxi for Swartzentruber Amish in Ohio. My impression is that their services are generally quickly and effectively performed, and they are valued in their communities.
I’ll include one of my own accounts, which I heard firsthand on a visit to Pennsylvania. The son of a friend visited a local dentist in the community. This was not something he does regularly; in fact, it was the first time. And on telling the story you could tell he thought it was a wild experience. He passed on getting a wisdom tooth taken out – but did get a non-wisdom tooth removed, parting with about $20 for the service.
Other things to know about Amish dentistry:
- Amish dentists may or may not provide painkiller (and when they do, it may or may not come in a dose suitable to actually kill the pain)
- This is gray area stuff. Some Amish have faced legal trouble and fines and jail time over their dentistry practice
- Due to it being gray area, you’re not going to see Amish dentists hanging advertisement signs at the end of their lanes
- They are apt to only serve people from within the Amish community (though not necessarily always the case), and generally take “donations” or “contributions” in lieu of an official fee
Amish dentists
You’re joking?! $20.00 to remove a non-wisdom tooth? A so-called “oral surgeon”
charged me over $200.00 to pull just 1 non-wisdom tooth not 18 months ago. And
he wasn’t kind when it came to using enough pain medication either. Sheesh!!
Amish dental
I live in Amish community, I also drive for them. They have a local gentleman that does their dental. They also have a local gentleman that makes dentures. Some also go to local dentists. Some go out of state to have dentures done. They are of all ages that use the service
The Michigan State University Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders have several Amish families they provider services for. One of the services recently implemented was a Mobil Dental Unit that is staffed by a dental hygienist and social worker. When the Amish come to their clinic appointment, they also can get their teeth cleaned. If there are greater concerns, we will help them locate a dentist to care for those needs.
It has been greatly appreciated by the Amish community.
Thanks for sharing Karen, I was not aware of that. Sounds great.
USING WISDOM WITH YOUR MONEY
I CAN ONLY CRINGE WHEN I SEE WHAT GOES ON IN AMISH COMMUNITIES! YES, I DO DRIVE THEM AND SOMETIMES JUST SHAKE MY HEAD. I HAVE SEEN SOME AMISH IN THE DENTAL OFFICE BEFORE AND KNOW OF ONE GIRL THAT HAD BRACES. WHEN THEY GET UP TO $14,000.00 FOR AN ACRE OF TOBACCO AND DO NOT PAY SS TAXES YOU HAVE TO WONDER JUST HOW POOR THEY ARE. THEY WILL SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A WEEK JUST VISITING RELATIVES. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW AS I DRIVE THEM.
HMMM
GEE, WOULDN’T IT BE NICE IF WE COULD KEEP OUR MONEY AND NOT PAY SS TAXES? WE COULD THEN INVEST OUR MONEY WHERE WE WANTED TO LIKE THE AMISH WHO PURCHASE PROPERTY AS THEY KNOW VERY WELL THAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO INVEST.
You sound a bit hateful and angry about the Amish
If you don’t like them or their lifestyle, don’t drive them and stay away from them. I don’t understand why you seem to show and feel contempt about them not paying SS. I’m also happy to see that they are buying land that comes up for sale around me as farmers age out and put their farms up for sale. I don’t want any developments cropping up where I am. They buy the farms and split them into two or three households with smaller acreage, keeping my area rural and my neighbors pleasant and friendly. Each idividual is not rich, their community is, and that’s a good thing for them and sometimes for us.
Looking for Service
Looking for Amish Dentist nearby to Winona MN. I have many a bad tooth. Would prefer to remove all teeth and get dentures.
Young with Dentures
I’m not surprised about the age of some of the folks with dentures. Getting all of your teeth pulled early and replaced with dentures was a common “up scale” practice not too long ago–even in the English world, wealthier girls would sometimes be given teeth-pullings as a present when they were old enough.
Not totally unexpected that this community would keep that tradition (or have discovered it on its own).