======Dentists======
=====Introduction=====
A **dentist** is a professional medical practitioner in the [[Muggle]] world who specializes in dentistry—the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. Within the context of the wizarding world, the profession is largely a [[Muggle]] curiosity, viewed as a strange and unnecessarily complicated alternative to magical remedies for dental issues. The most significant and only named dentists in the series are the parents of [[Hermione Granger]], whose profession serves to ground her firmly in her [[Muggle]] heritage and provides a point of contrast with the magical community.
=====Biography=====
The concept of dentists is introduced early in the series through the background of [[Hermione Granger]]. Her parents are established as respected professionals in the [[Muggle]] world, a fact she shares with her friends.
In //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//, Mr. and Mrs. [[Granger]] accompany [[Hermione]] to [[Diagon Alley]] to purchase her school supplies. While there, they meet [[Harry Potter]] and the [[Weasley]] family. [[Arthur Weasley]], fascinated by all things [[Muggle]], engages them in an enthusiastic conversation about their profession, asking about the purpose of dental drills and "plugs." The [[Granger]]s are also seen capably navigating the wizarding economy, exchanging [[Muggle]] money for wizarding currency at [[Gringotts]].
The profession of [[Hermione]]'s parents becomes a critical plot point in //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//. To protect them from [[Lord Voldemort]] and his [[Death Eater]]s during the [[Second Wizarding War]], [[Hermione]] performs a powerful Memory [[Charm]] ([[Obliviate]]) on them. This [[charm]] erases their entire identities, including their memories of being dentists and having a daughter. She implants false memories, giving them new names—Wendell and Monica Wilkins—and a lifelong ambition to move to [[Australia]], which they promptly do. This act demonstrates [[Hermione]]'s profound love for her parents and the immense sacrifices she is willing to make. After the war, [[Hermione]] located her parents in [[Australia]] and properly restored their memories.
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
As a [[Muggle]] profession, there is no specific physical appearance associated with dentists. The only known dentists, Mr. and Mrs. [[Granger]], are described as looking "quite ordinary" and dressing sensibly.
From the perspective of the wizarding world, the profession's "personality" is one of bizarre, invasive procedures. [[Arthur Weasley]]'s questions imply a view of dentistry as a somewhat barbaric practice involving prodding teeth with metal objects. However, the [[Granger]]s themselves are portrayed as intelligent, kind, and supportive parents who are proud of their work, even if it is completely foreign to the magical world their daughter inhabits.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
Dentists are [[Muggle]] professionals and as such, possess no magical abilities. Their skills are based on [[Muggle]] science and medicine. This stands in stark contrast to magical solutions for dental and other physiological problems. For example, after being hexed by [[Draco Malfoy]], [[Hermione]]'s already large front teeth grow to an absurd length. [[Madam Pomfrey]] is able to shrink them, and [[Hermione]] allows the [[spell]] to reduce them to a neater, smaller size than they were originally. Potions like [[Skele-Gro]] can regrow entire bones overnight, suggesting that similar magical remedies for dental ailments would make [[Muggle]] dentistry entirely redundant for wizards and witches.
=====Possessions=====
The key possessions associated with dentists are their professional tools. While not seen directly, these items are a source of great interest for [[Arthur Weasley]], who specifically asks about the function of dental drills and the nature of fillings, which he calls "plugs."
=====Relationships=====
  * **With the [[Muggle]] World:** Dentistry is a necessary and respected medical profession, essential for the health and well-being of non-magical people.
  * **With the Wizarding World:** The profession is a complete novelty and is generally misunderstood. For wizards like [[Arthur Weasley]], it is a fascinating example of [[Muggle]] ingenuity in the absence of [[magic]]. For others, it likely seems primitive. The existence of dentists highlights the cultural and technological gap between the two worlds.
  * **With [[Hermione Granger]]:** Her parents' profession is a fundamental part of her identity, representing her [[Muggle]] roots. Despite being the brightest witch of her age, she comes from a world of science and logic, which often informs her approach to [[magic]].
=====Etymology=====
The word //dentist// is derived from the Latin word **dens** (genitive: **dentis**), meaning "tooth." The French word for "tooth" is **dent**, from which the term **dentiste** originated and later entered the English language.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1//, Mr. and Mrs. [[Granger]] are portrayed by actors Ian Kelly and Michelle Fairley, respectively.
  * The aliases [[Hermione]] gives her parents, Wendell and Monica Wilkins, are mentioned only in the film and do not appear in the original novel (film).
  * J.K. Rowling confirmed in a web chat after the publication of the final book that [[Hermione]] did successfully find her parents after the [[Second Wizarding War]] and lift the Memory [[Charm]], fully restoring their memories and their lives (J.K. Rowling interview).