A legacy of illusions eases patient anxiety and inspires the next generation through magic and dentistry
There’s something enchanting about the world of dentistry when you add a little bit of magic into the mix.
For Benjamin Taylor, DDS, a retired pediatric dentist who returned to volunteer as a UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry adjunct professor, magic was the perfect antidote to patient anxiety.
Early in his career, Taylor began incorporating sleight of hand into his pediatric practice, and it wasn’t long before it became his signature method for easing the dental anxiety that’s common among young patients.
For Francisco “Javy” Garza, a third-year student at the School of Dentistry, Taylor’s tricks helped him get through childhood dental visits and inspired him to carry the wand and use it in preparation for his own practice. While Garza was first inspired by Taylor’s tricks as a child, it wasn’t long before he was learning magic himself. By middle school, Garza was performing illusions at birthday parties and family events.
“It’s a fun way to bond with people,” Garza explained.
A touch of magic
Taylor’s love for both dentistry and magic started long before his tenure as faculty for UT Dentistry’s Greehey Family Foundation Pediatric Dental Clinic. His career path, an unlikely but fitting blend of both, began in a U.S. Air Force training program.
“I had the chance to work as a dental assistant, and that sparked my interest in the field,” Taylor said.
But it wasn’t until years later, after a stint in dental hygiene, that he found his true calling in pediatric dentistry. Taylor soon discovered an unusual way to break the ice with his young patients — magic tricks.
Inspired by a fellow dentist and 1983 School of Dentistry alumnus, C. Roger Macias Jr., DDS, who used magic as a tool to soothe children in the dental chair, Taylor started incorporating small illusions into his practice.
“I began showing kids simple tricks like making a scarf disappear or making sponge rabbits multiply in their hand. The change in their demeanor was instant,” Taylor recalled.
Soon, magic became his signature method for easing nervous little ones, allowing them to relax and forget about their dental fears.
“I always made it a point to show each child a magic trick at the end of their visit, no matter what. It gave them something to look forward to and left them with a smile.”
‘From fear to wonder’
As a bonafide magician, Taylor’s magic is more about creating an experience that sparks trust with his patients. Perhaps the most profound magic trick that Taylor performed was not pulling rabbits out of hats, but rather, the bond he created with patients like Garza.
Garza now feels that Taylor’s magic was not only an entertaining distraction, but also a turning point in his life. He was just a child when he first saw Taylor perform a trick during a dental visit within the Pediatric Dental Clinic at the Ricardo Salinas Health Center. Recalling that he was a nervous patient, Garza remembered his experience with startling clarity.
“I was terrified of going to the dentist, but when Dr. Taylor pulled out a deck of cards and began his tricks, all of a sudden, I forgot to be scared,” Garza said. “He made me feel like I was part of the show. It was his kindness and patience, combined with the magic, that made me trust him.”
Garza already had strong ties to the dental profession through his parents’ work as dental lab technicians, but this moment was transformative for him.
“After that visit, I knew I wanted to be a dentist. Dr. Taylor’s tricks showed me that dentistry didn’t just have to be about procedures — it could be about connection, too,” he shared.
Now, one year from graduation, Garza has continued the tradition of using magic to build trust with his own patients. Doing a quick sleight of hand with a deck of cards or a coin trick, Garza has found that, much like he once did, his patients begin to relax and open up.
“It’s all about breaking the ice and creating that sense of curiosity. Magic has this power to shift a patient’s mindset from fear to wonder,” Garza said. “And that’s the key to building rapport. When you make a patient comfortable, they’re more likely to trust you, and trust is everything in dentistry.”
More than a gimmick
Taylor was delighted to hear of Garza’s success and the ripple effect his magic has had.
“It’s incredible to see how the things I did as a dentist have inspired Javy,” he said. “He’s taken it to a whole new level, making magic a part of his daily practice. That’s the beauty of mentorship. It’s about passing on a legacy — one that isn’t just about technical skills, but about human connection.”
Both Garza and Taylor agree that magic and humor are powerful tools in health care.
“In dentistry, we’re not just treating teeth; we’re treating people. And if you can make a person feel comfortable and understood, you’re already halfway there,” Taylor said.
In fact, research suggests that incorporating entertainment into health care can reduce patient anxiety. For instance, some studies show that humor and distractions like magic tricks can lower stress, reduce heart rate and create positive memories associated with dental or medical visits. The concept has been around for decades, but it continues to inspire originality in the way health providers approach patient care.
Garza believes that the lessons he learned from Taylor are not just smoke and mirrors; they’re about creating an environment where patients feel heard, valued and cared for.
“As a future dentist, I want to make sure that every patient walks out of my office feeling treated but also truly seen and respected,” Garza said. “And if that means showing them a magic trick to help them feel more at ease, I’ll do it every time.”
Magical mentors
For Taylor, the magic doesn’t stop at the clinic; he is also passionate about sharing the art with his peers. Once he was even invited to speak formally during a seminar at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 2013, where he introduced fellow professionals to the therapeutic benefits of magic in dentistry.
“I wanted to inspire more dentists to use magic to build trust and reduce fear,” Taylor said.
However, not every patient has been easily charmed through the years. One particularly tough crowd came from children whose father was a professional magician.
“They were a hard sell,” Taylor laughed when remembering the encounter. “But that’s part of the fun!”
Like Taylor, Garza believes in sharing his knowledge with others, teaching his fellow classmates simple sleights of hand to help equip them with ways to relax and bond with their own patients.
“It’s all about breaking the ice and making the patient feel more at ease,” Garza explained.
Further solidifying their commitment to the craft both inside and outside the clinic, Garza and Taylor hold membership with professional magic clubs. Although both “magentists” remain eager to pass on their craft, they still keep some surprises up their sleeves.
“In magic, there’s a certain code,” Garza said. “We don’t reveal all our secrets. Some tricks require practice and skill, and for those, it’s important for people to buy the props and learn the techniques themselves. It’s about respecting the craft and ensuring the magic remains just that — magical.”