Dentist on the Job (1961) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the world of British advertising, Colonel Proudfoot of Proudfoot Industries operates with ambition and cunning, forever seeking new ways to promote his products to an unsuspecting public. His latest venture involves "Dreem," a revolutionary toothpaste that requires something special to capture the public's attention — the endorsement of reputable dentists. But there's a catch: professional ethics prevent dentists from participating in advertising campaigns, and the penalty for doing so could mean disbarment from the profession entirely.

Into this precarious situation step David Cookson and Brian Dexter, two newly qualified dentists whose credentials suggest they may not be the most competent practitioners in the field. Recruited through a Dental School connection who sees an opportunity to relieve the profession of two perpetual underachievers, the pair find themselves thrust into a corporate environment where appearances matter more than ability. What they don't realize is that their positions rest on a foundation of carefully constructed deception — one that could crumble at any moment.

The atmosphere crackles with comedic tension as the two dentists navigate their new roles, unaware that discovery of the true nature of their employment could end their careers before they've truly begun. Every interaction becomes a potential minefield where a misplaced word or misunderstood intention could bring the entire scheme crashing down, and somewhere in the background, forces within Proudfoot Industries watch with varying degrees of skepticism and self-interest.

What follows is a tale of ambition, coincidence, and the unpredictable nature of good intentions in a world where commerce and professional integrity collide. As the two dentists settle into their unexpected positions, the question lingers: how long can such an elaborate ruse continue before someone begins to ask the right questions?