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Prostho Plus
Dr. Dillingham, terrestrial dentist, is kidnapped by aliens, forced to treat a cavity in a very strange mouth, whisked off to the far reaches of the galaxy, and offered a prestigious position at the Galactic University of Dentistry
190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
14 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Piers Anthony
445 books4,234 followersThough he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 24, 2009
Dentist is abducted by aliens who want him to fix their teeth. I'm sure I've seen more bizarre plots, but I can't immediately think of one.
September 3, 2014
I first heard of Prostho Plus when a friend, Michael A. Burstein, mentioned it to me, and it was something of an endeavor looking for it in used bookstores and online, but it was eminently worth it. Prostho Plus, a stand-alone work by longtime SF/F author Piers Anthony, has to be one of the most bizarre books I have read. Which is not to say that I didn't enjoy it, but it is . . . odd.
Telling the story of a human dentist (prosthodontist, to be exact) kidnaped from Earth to service the dental needs of the universe at large, Prostho Plus was fun, although by no means an essential read, much less a seminal work in the realm of science fiction. The central gag (no pun intended) of the novel is—and I'm not really giving away much of the plot here—that, apparently, even species that have mastered interstellar travel care about as little about proper dental hygiene as humans do—the eternal lament of the long-suffering dentist. It does give some hope for our species that even aliens far more advanced than Homo sapiens still need to be taught to brush, floss, and go for a biannual checkup on a regular basis. Yes, Prostho Plus is somewhat dated—Anthony wrote it more than forty years ago, and his protagonist Dr. Dillingham is a "confirmed bachelor", whose dental assistant Judy Galland is hopelessly in love with him, to name just two elements of the story—but since all or most of us can identify with the need to go see the dentist, Prostho Plus works on a basic level, and offers fun tidbits of plot throughout to boot.
Anthony gets some points off for some of the clunkier elements, such as the aforementioned Dr. Dillingham-Judy Galland situation and the scene, typical of Anthony, involving the Jann robot's oath to kill Dr. Dillingham and how Dr. Dillingham avoids that fate, but on the whole, Prostho Plus was a success, if only because—looking at the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction—there really aren't many—or any—other SF/F novels in which a dentist is the primary character. (A note: Lawyers aren't well-represented in SF/F either, which is disappointing to myself as an attorney.)
I'm definitely going to have to lend this novel to my dentist.
Telling the story of a human dentist (prosthodontist, to be exact) kidnaped from Earth to service the dental needs of the universe at large, Prostho Plus was fun, although by no means an essential read, much less a seminal work in the realm of science fiction. The central gag (no pun intended) of the novel is—and I'm not really giving away much of the plot here—that, apparently, even species that have mastered interstellar travel care about as little about proper dental hygiene as humans do—the eternal lament of the long-suffering dentist. It does give some hope for our species that even aliens far more advanced than Homo sapiens still need to be taught to brush, floss, and go for a biannual checkup on a regular basis. Yes, Prostho Plus is somewhat dated—Anthony wrote it more than forty years ago, and his protagonist Dr. Dillingham is a "confirmed bachelor", whose dental assistant Judy Galland is hopelessly in love with him, to name just two elements of the story—but since all or most of us can identify with the need to go see the dentist, Prostho Plus works on a basic level, and offers fun tidbits of plot throughout to boot.
Anthony gets some points off for some of the clunkier elements, such as the aforementioned Dr. Dillingham-Judy Galland situation and the scene, typical of Anthony, involving the Jann robot's oath to kill Dr. Dillingham and how Dr. Dillingham avoids that fate, but on the whole, Prostho Plus was a success, if only because—looking at the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction—there really aren't many—or any—other SF/F novels in which a dentist is the primary character. (A note: Lawyers aren't well-represented in SF/F either, which is disappointing to myself as an attorney.)
I'm definitely going to have to lend this novel to my dentist.
August 29, 2018
Started reading this again, because I remembered it being good in the past. It did not disappoint. However had to put it down for two months because I had a series of very unpleasant dentist's appointments and couldn't bear some of the descriptions. :(
In general the book was a wonderful ride through a very alien universe with lots of non-humanoid aliens. The author even came up with a technological way to get around the "everyone suddenly speaks English for no reason".
Would recommend to anyone who likes Sci-Fi and humour but not to those who have dentist's appointments in the near future. (just wait till after, I was perfectly fine reading it then)
In general the book was a wonderful ride through a very alien universe with lots of non-humanoid aliens. The author even came up with a technological way to get around the "everyone suddenly speaks English for no reason".
Would recommend to anyone who likes Sci-Fi and humour but not to those who have dentist's appointments in the near future. (just wait till after, I was perfectly fine reading it then)
September 22, 2022
One of Piers Anthony's goofy books -- but one which succeeds. This guy could (and would) write fucking anything. This one is about a dentist (or prosthodontist) kidnapped by aliens and his picaresque excursions through the galaxy. The tone is light, but the novel isn't stupid. It's amusing and creative but not taxing on the intellect.
April 2, 2017
An average dentist as an inter-galactic hero? Why not? Piers Anthony has great fun with this story. Not only does he exhibit an excellent knowledge of dentistry, as in the depth of details in each of the hero's exploits are laid out, but in the politics that abound in any industry when challenged by outsiders.
And the laughs. This novel is full of them. From the character names to the alien forms, he pulls no punches. His constant use of names altered by one letter, such as the lovely assistant, Judy Galland. Insert an R for an L and you get Judy Garland. See? There are loads more, but I'll leave that for the reader to ascertain.
This is not a serious novel. It's a space opera with a large comical element. Do not take this work seriously. Recognize it for the comedy it is meant to be. You will enjoy it much more that way.
And the laughs. This novel is full of them. From the character names to the alien forms, he pulls no punches. His constant use of names altered by one letter, such as the lovely assistant, Judy Galland. Insert an R for an L and you get Judy Garland. See? There are loads more, but I'll leave that for the reader to ascertain.
This is not a serious novel. It's a space opera with a large comical element. Do not take this work seriously. Recognize it for the comedy it is meant to be. You will enjoy it much more that way.
December 7, 2019
This book I read out of desperation for a book, and was rewarded. The premise is unique, but that's not what grabbed me. The writing is what grabbed me. The plot was fun, unpredictable (as all dentistry is), and wrapped the book up satisfactorily. I recommend this as a quick, light-hearted read for the intellectual science fiction reader. It's not a fluffly book. But it is fun.
As a person who hates the dentist, this was a great book. If you like classic sci-fi, this book is one you've likely already read. If not, you'd better go read it.
As a person who hates the dentist, this was a great book. If you like classic sci-fi, this book is one you've likely already read. If not, you'd better go read it.
August 10, 2017
I never in a million years would have thought a book about a dentist could be this excellent. I suppose his dealing with alien patients more or less against his will helps make this such a fun read but what do I know?
March 5, 2017
An adequately silly book about a dentist abducted by aliens to provide dentistry in space. Keeping amuse my kid later, when he's old enough to read such things.
September 15, 2017
A fun, fast read. The premise is ridiculous - in a hilarious way. Separate from any PA series, it is a dentist-in-space yarn, and a good read.
December 2, 2017
Really original and brilliant.
September 2, 2018
Old classic.
December 25, 2024
An imaginative tale about a prosthodontist who gets abducted by aliens & rises the ranks in intergalactic dentistry… the writing was subpar, the plot bizarre yet entertaining. I don’t know why you’d read this if you weren’t a dentist
September 26, 2018
By most objective measures, this novel deserves only four stars. Maybe even three. The characters have all the depth of soap film. The dialogue is, more often than not, painfully contrived. The plot is comprised of a series of episodes which would strain anyone's suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. And what plot there is is hardly resolved at the end: this tale feels like the first in a series, which it wasn't. But what makes up for all of these faults is the novel's uniqueness, and the unbounded inventiveness of Piers Anthony's unpredictable imagination.
Few would disagree that Anthony's body of work is a mixed bag. Encompassing both fantasy and science fiction, and frequently blending elements of both, Anthony is so prolific that one would only expect his output to be uneven. But I've stuck by him for years, because for every two clunkers there are three gems of various luster. That plus the fact that he's one of the few authors in either genre with a highly developed sense of humor. This novel stands as, perhaps, the ultimate proof in that regard. Who but Piers Anthony could write a science fiction novel about dentistry? Without giving away any spoilers, the beauty of this work is the sheer temerity -- and absurdity -- of casting a frumpy, middle-aged prosthodontist as the protagonist in a tale of galactic self-discovery. Dr. Dillingham's midlife crisis is foisted upon him, as he is abducted by extraterrestrials, sold into indentured servitude, and required to perform dental procedures on a dizzying array of alien orifices. Interstellar oral hygiene is, it turns out, in varying stages of development throughout the galaxy, and Dillingham is thrown into the deep end of this chasm where he must drill and fill for his supper.
If this sounds tedious, all I can say is that I laughed out loud over and over again. And I'm one damn tough room! At times this was brought about by the sheer ridiculousness of Dillingham's adventures. At other times I laughed, despite myself, at Anthony's painful puns. But mostly it was the sense, of which I was acutely aware throughout, that I was reading what must be one of the most unusual and unique science fiction novels ever written. Combining the fantastic with the mundane (one suspects that Anthony was undergoing some rather involved dental procedures at the time) results in a book which can hardly be believed. Not the story, that is, but the fact that Anthony could conceive of it, took the time to write it out, and then convinced someone to publish it! I can't help but admire such a degree of sheer moxie. Anthony has earned several passes on this one!
Few would disagree that Anthony's body of work is a mixed bag. Encompassing both fantasy and science fiction, and frequently blending elements of both, Anthony is so prolific that one would only expect his output to be uneven. But I've stuck by him for years, because for every two clunkers there are three gems of various luster. That plus the fact that he's one of the few authors in either genre with a highly developed sense of humor. This novel stands as, perhaps, the ultimate proof in that regard. Who but Piers Anthony could write a science fiction novel about dentistry? Without giving away any spoilers, the beauty of this work is the sheer temerity -- and absurdity -- of casting a frumpy, middle-aged prosthodontist as the protagonist in a tale of galactic self-discovery. Dr. Dillingham's midlife crisis is foisted upon him, as he is abducted by extraterrestrials, sold into indentured servitude, and required to perform dental procedures on a dizzying array of alien orifices. Interstellar oral hygiene is, it turns out, in varying stages of development throughout the galaxy, and Dillingham is thrown into the deep end of this chasm where he must drill and fill for his supper.
If this sounds tedious, all I can say is that I laughed out loud over and over again. And I'm one damn tough room! At times this was brought about by the sheer ridiculousness of Dillingham's adventures. At other times I laughed, despite myself, at Anthony's painful puns. But mostly it was the sense, of which I was acutely aware throughout, that I was reading what must be one of the most unusual and unique science fiction novels ever written. Combining the fantastic with the mundane (one suspects that Anthony was undergoing some rather involved dental procedures at the time) results in a book which can hardly be believed. Not the story, that is, but the fact that Anthony could conceive of it, took the time to write it out, and then convinced someone to publish it! I can't help but admire such a degree of sheer moxie. Anthony has earned several passes on this one!
May 28, 2025
Beim Zahnarzt Dr. Dillingham taucht eines Tages ein ET-Raumschiffkapitän mit einem Zahnproblem auf. Nachdem Dillingham ihm helfen konnte, wird er kurzerhand entführt und muss fortan die Zahnprobleme von Angehörigen diverser Alien-Rassen lösen.
Das ist wirklich originell. Nicht plausibel, aber originell. Es gibt nämlich einen grundlegenden Logikfehler in diesem Roman: eigentlich sind die zahnärztlichen Techniken, die Dillingham beherrscht (wenig verwunderlicherweise) dem Stand der Medizin in der galaktischen Gemeinschaft hoffnungslos unterlegen. Trotzdem gibt es jede Menge Patienten, die sich um seine Hilfe reissen!?
Das ganze ist flott und mit einem Augenzwinkern geschrieben. Richtig überzeugt hat mich der Roman aber bei weitem nicht und ich kann ihm nicht mehr als 2 Sterne geben.
Gelesen als Teil des Sammelbandes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Das ist wirklich originell. Nicht plausibel, aber originell. Es gibt nämlich einen grundlegenden Logikfehler in diesem Roman: eigentlich sind die zahnärztlichen Techniken, die Dillingham beherrscht (wenig verwunderlicherweise) dem Stand der Medizin in der galaktischen Gemeinschaft hoffnungslos unterlegen. Trotzdem gibt es jede Menge Patienten, die sich um seine Hilfe reissen!?
Das ganze ist flott und mit einem Augenzwinkern geschrieben. Richtig überzeugt hat mich der Roman aber bei weitem nicht und ich kann ihm nicht mehr als 2 Sterne geben.
Gelesen als Teil des Sammelbandes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
November 10, 2013
This was the first book I ever read about a dentist... in fact, I believe it's the only book I've ever read about a dentist. (Unless you count Doc Holliday.)In any event, it's a wild, fast-paced, far-flung space adventure. It's nicely written, unpretentious fun. After all, everybody needs good dental care... except for killer robots, of course.
July 14, 2017
Light, fluffy, fun, and the perfect gift for any dentist who likes science fiction!
No deep science fictional ideas here, but there's something quite delightful about hearing little homilies from the main character about how very important it is to take good care of your teeth.... directed to one alien or another.
No deep science fictional ideas here, but there's something quite delightful about hearing little homilies from the main character about how very important it is to take good care of your teeth.... directed to one alien or another.
May 28, 2023
Moderately entertaining story of a dentist kidnapped by aliens to fix a toothache.
A normal 20th century dentists gets abducted by aliens because their captain has a toothache. They trade him off to giant water-based aliens who are also in need of dental work. Then he helps some aliens whose teeth are like solid state electronic devices to absorb and emit information from their brains. He tangles with a giant space robot (who also coincidentally has teeth-like structures in need of service). Eventually he stops wanting to go home to Earth and instead sets his sights on the Galactic Dental University. But he may not be good enough to even pass the entrance exam.
It's fairly entertaining and amusing. There's some weirdly anachronistic sexism expressed by both the human dentist and various aliens about males being dentists and females being more suited for the role sexy female dental assistants. Maybe it was just meant ironically as a comment on the sexism present in 20th century dental offices? I couldn't tell.
This was a random find at a used book store. I don't think I'd seek it out but if you happen to run across it and have nothing better to read, it's not bad.
A normal 20th century dentists gets abducted by aliens because their captain has a toothache. They trade him off to giant water-based aliens who are also in need of dental work. Then he helps some aliens whose teeth are like solid state electronic devices to absorb and emit information from their brains. He tangles with a giant space robot (who also coincidentally has teeth-like structures in need of service). Eventually he stops wanting to go home to Earth and instead sets his sights on the Galactic Dental University. But he may not be good enough to even pass the entrance exam.
It's fairly entertaining and amusing. There's some weirdly anachronistic sexism expressed by both the human dentist and various aliens about males being dentists and females being more suited for the role sexy female dental assistants. Maybe it was just meant ironically as a comment on the sexism present in 20th century dental offices? I couldn't tell.
This was a random find at a used book store. I don't think I'd seek it out but if you happen to run across it and have nothing better to read, it's not bad.
March 22, 2025
I found this little gem in a Seattle bookstore that specialized in out-of-print books. The premise on the back cover was so absurd, I couldn’t resist picking it up. It seemed like the kind of book that couldn’t possibly be any good—but luckily, it turned out to be better than expected.
I think the trick is that the author fully commits to the ridiculous premise and plays it relatively straight. He doesn’t go for laughs in a Hitchhiker’s Guide kind of way; instead, the humor comes from the fact that everything is treated so seriously, you can’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of what’s happening.
I am not sure if I can recommend this because I am not certain it will have the same effect on others as it did me, but personally, I am going to give it a enthusiastic 4 stars.
I think the trick is that the author fully commits to the ridiculous premise and plays it relatively straight. He doesn’t go for laughs in a Hitchhiker’s Guide kind of way; instead, the humor comes from the fact that everything is treated so seriously, you can’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of what’s happening.
I am not sure if I can recommend this because I am not certain it will have the same effect on others as it did me, but personally, I am going to give it a enthusiastic 4 stars.
March 29, 2021
Dr. Dillingham applies and attends the Galactic University of Dentistry and takes the time to work on the teeth of alien beings with dental problems. Though I admit no fondness for much of Anthony's work, this novel is certainly unique. Reading Dr. Dillingham's exploits of filling in a cavity in the mouth of a beast where each tooth is well over fifteen feet high is, to say the least, highly unusual but very intriguing. This novel was strung together from several short stories, but it works well enough. This is a short, funny little book. If you ever wanted to know just how weird dentistry can be, then find a copy and open up and say "aaaaaah."
November 8, 2017
I read this book many years ago, and find that either I got a shortened book or it has been re-written. I am not sure, I gave the book away, to my dentist. I do not remember any Judy Galland, or robots, and it ended with Dillingham joining the University to teach Ethics, not train as the Director of the School of Prosthodontics. An interesting way to give an exam. Be that as it may on reading it again I found it to be humorous and a quick read, a little slow after joining the University.
I still think it is fun, even with having wisdom teeth recently extracted.
I still think it is fun, even with having wisdom teeth recently extracted.
November 15, 2019
Okay so I was intrigued at the premise of space dentistry so I picked this up and I have to admit I had fun reading it. Our hero is essentially kidnapped for his dentistry skills and then goes on an adventure across the galaxy fixing teeth. That's it that's the whole thing but it was still fun to see the crazy situations he got into when dentistry and politics became enmeshed and how over the top some of the scrapes he got into. Overall, this was a fun and light read and I'm glad I spent time with it.
October 17, 2020
Most unique alien abduction story I've ever read. The writing style and worldbuilding are a bit simple, but I didn't mind. I've studied veterinary dentistry so I didn't struggle too much with the medical terminology. It probably helps to have a little background in dentistry, or you might find yourself inspired to learn something new. Overall the tone is playful and a nice change if you've been reading heavier subjects.
April 6, 2024
Prostho Plus is a fix-up novel from 50 years ago that should never have stuck in my head like it has. I could not remember the title, but I did remember the premise of a dentist being kidnapped by aliens and forced to work on a baby Leviathan whose fillings required tons of gold. In later episodes, he becomes the galaxy’s leading prosthodontist. I am trying to avoid saying that dentists as science fiction heroes are as rare as hen’s teeth. Oops.
August 22, 2024
TEETH... IN... SPACE...!
This was weirdly entertaining. (Also rampant with casual sexism. For example, screaming in fear is "effeminate", or all dental assistants even in the advanced and strange galaxy, must be "esthetic females". And so on. I guess it's too much to ask anything else of 1970's-era pulp sci fi.)
But I had a great time reading about all the weird alien teeth and ingenious dental problem-solving provided by our unflappable main character.
A weird one, but reasonably fun.
This was weirdly entertaining. (Also rampant with casual sexism. For example, screaming in fear is "effeminate", or all dental assistants even in the advanced and strange galaxy, must be "esthetic females". And so on. I guess it's too much to ask anything else of 1970's-era pulp sci fi.)
But I had a great time reading about all the weird alien teeth and ingenious dental problem-solving provided by our unflappable main character.
A weird one, but reasonably fun.
January 6, 2026
Very well written and a fast read(sadly)
It’s a happy read with some comedy and some technicals inside. Characters with good virtues and happy endings to situations. I was imagining watching this book as a limited tv series or some quirky anime the whole time as the chapters are well structured and are each like an episode with its own adventure.
All in all I wish it was longer and the book has left me happier than it has found me.
It’s a happy read with some comedy and some technicals inside. Characters with good virtues and happy endings to situations. I was imagining watching this book as a limited tv series or some quirky anime the whole time as the chapters are well structured and are each like an episode with its own adventure.
All in all I wish it was longer and the book has left me happier than it has found me.
September 17, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this interstellar jaunt. So unusual to have a dentist as the central character. Great use of humour throughout and some novel concepts for the different alien races encountered. Loved how he named the planets... speaking of which, could this be where a certain band (Hetfield, Ulrich, et. al) got their name.... the planet Metallica?
March 5, 2021
A really funny story with a pretty silly premise. All the technical details concerning dentistry were kind of... uncomfortable. And I most surely brushed my own teeth throughly throughout my reading. Piers Anthony is a great absurdist. A winning writer of the weird. A concoctioner of crazy concepts. A real funny dude.
August 2, 2024
Prostho Plus by Piers Anthony.
Dr Dillingham is a typical dentist with a secure and fairly dull future ahead of him. Until the day he is kidnapped by aliens after treating one of them for toothache at the end of a laser gun.
Afterwards, he finds himself travelling to far off planets and treating a variety of alien teeth.
A very good book with some clever writing and straightforward plot.
Dr Dillingham is a typical dentist with a secure and fairly dull future ahead of him. Until the day he is kidnapped by aliens after treating one of them for toothache at the end of a laser gun.
Afterwards, he finds himself travelling to far off planets and treating a variety of alien teeth.
A very good book with some clever writing and straightforward plot.
August 16, 2019
I think this is one of the funniest stories I've ever read. The wacky, intergalactic travels of dentist Dr. Dillingham put the field of dentistry in a very positive light. This book is great for when you want a quick, mindless read.
November 10, 2023
This was a surprisingly entertaining book. It is by no means a literary masterpiece (not that anyone should take my word on such matters) but it kept my attention. It is definitely worth a try at least.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews