Elvis's phobia

Elvis Presley was a legendary entertainer with a natural presence on the stage, but did you know he had a well-known fear of dentists? It seems quite ironic given his flashy smile and obsession with his physical appearance, but it is true!

Elvis was very meticulous about brushing his teeth, one would assume to avoid future dental visits. He even had his dentist keep a model of his teeth and extra crowns on hand for emergencies.

Elvis's dentist

Elvis had a very close relationship with his personal dentist, Dr. Lester Hoffman. He played a significant role in his life, taking on the responsibility of his dental health amidst a hectic and unpredictable performance schedule. Elvis frequently had to be late to appointments and often kept him waiting, but Dr. Hoffman did not mind because it brought a bit of excitement to his day! He has an abundance of interesting stories, even recounting an incident where Elvis went into a meditative state to avoid a dental numbing injection. Elvis often came in with other celebrities by his side, such as Ginger Alden and Miss Austria.  

Elvis had such an appreciation for his dentist that he once gifted him a car, a blue 1976 Cadillac Seville. He even refused the request to refer to Dr. Hoffman by his first name “Les” out of respect, because he 'went to school, got that degree and earned it'. Dr. Hoffman was one of the last people to see Elvis alive, having a late-night appointment with him at 10:30pm on August 15, 1977. Elvis passed away just the following day at Graceland, his home in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dental issues in Elvis’s work

 As someone spending so much time up on the big screen, Elvis felt the need to wear dental pieces to modify his appearance. This shows the impact of dental aesthetics in the entertainment industry, and how much we value an attractive smile!

During filming of "Jailhouse Rock," Elvis struck his face against a pole, causing a cap on his tooth to come loose. He accidentally inhaled this cap, and it ended up in his right lung. He had to undergo a procedure where the cap was successfully removed by a surgeon. It is said the surgeon even had to part his precious vocal cords to retrieve it! This accident reminds us of the importance of dental safety, and that even the biggest stars experience a tooth mishap from time to time!

Ease dental anxiety for your patients

To ease dental patient anxiety, dentists can go down many avenues. Try creating a calm environment, use relaxation techniques, offer distractions and provide clear communication throughout their visits. Next time you have a patient with dental anxiety come in for an appointment, share some of these fun Elvis facts. If even the King of Rock 'n' Roll had to conquer his fear of the dental chair, they can too!

Unlike in Elvis’s day, technology has provided us with new options for settling nerves in the chair. Click here to read up on some more calming tactics for your office with virtual reality.

Ideas for your practice

Now that you have gained this new Elvis insight, try and incorporate it at your practice! This year dress up as Elvis for Halloween, why not purchase a cheap Elvis wig online and get in on the fun. Maybe hang an Elvis photo on the wall of your lobby or throw on his soundtrack every once and awhile. Anything that can serve as a fun conversation starter with your patients surely will make their experience at the dentist a more positive one.

The bottom line: Even Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, had dental anxiety—but that didn’t stop him from maintaining a meticulous smile and a trusted relationship with his dentist. By sharing relatable, lighthearted stories like his, dental professionals can ease patient nerves and bring a little fun into the practice—because if even Elvis had to face the chair, so can they!