Não estou ciente de algo exatamente como o que você descreve, mas soa semelhante ao qualquer pode ser descrito de uma forma que faça parecer estranho ou mágico, se você não tiver o contexto completo da cultura.
Um parágrafo do livro, especificamente sobre dentistas:
In the hierarchy of magical practitioners, and below the medicine men in prestige, are specialists whose designation is best translated as "holy-mouth-men." The Nacirema have an almost pathological horror of and fascination with the mouth, the condition of which is believed to have a supernatural influence on all social relationships. Were it not for the rituals of the mouth, they believe that their teeth would fall out, their gums bleed, their jaws shrink, their friends desert them, and their lovers reject them. They also believe that a strong relationship exists between oral and moral characteristics. For example, there is a ritual ablution of the mouth for children which is supposed to improve their moral fiber.