The American Institute for the Destruction of Tooth Fairy Science

Updated 03/07/2010: Dr. Hall on "Tooth Fairy Science" -- The Skeptic's Toolbox

What, you may ask, is "Tooth Fairy Science"?  From the Skeptic's Dictionary (Skepdic.com)

"Tooth Fairy science" is an expression coined by Harriet Hall, M.D., (aka the SkepDoc) to refer to doing research on a phenomenon before establishing that the phenomenon exists. Tooth Fairy science is part of a larger domain that might be called Fairy Tale science: research that aims to confirm a farfetched story believed by millions of scientifically innocent minds. Fairy Tale science uses research data to explain things that haven't been proven to have actually happened. Fairy Tale scientists mistakenly think that if they have collected data that is consistent with their hypothesis, then they have collected data that confirms their hypothesis. Tooth Fairy science seeks explanations for things before establishing that those things actually exist.

The Institute for the Destruction of Tooth Fairy Science (IDTFS)  is a shadowy organization.  However, the blog Hell's News Stand has undertaken to publish some posters on behalf of the IDTFS, such as the "If it Ducks Like a Quack" poster

The previous campaign was   the "If Water Has A Memory Then Homeopathy Is Full of ...."  Below, a PG-13 version  of the campaign.

More adult versions are available http://hellsnewsstand.blogspot.com/2009/04/we-have-posters-too.html.

Before the poster campaign, Hells News Stand published magazine covers for

• Medical Wackaloon Monthly featuring Jenny McCarthy on vaccines
• Celebutard Monthly featuring Bijou Phillips on scientology
• Self-Congratulation Monthly
• Unscientific American (ridiculing creationists and anti-vaccinationists)

Update April 2010 Homeopathy a systematic review finds no evidence that homeopathy has effects beyond placebo. Dr. Steven Barnett's article, Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake reviews the status of homeopathy in the United States. Homeopathy lists the critiques published of homeopathy in April, 2010. homeopathyThere's Nothing In It, the 10:23 campaign.

Comments

[Renaissance Clothing]

Honestly I have tried Homeopathy and it has worked for my anxiety. I think it is HOKIE but I seem to be more calm, and this is what people tell me.

[direct response]

These are indeed adult advertisements with some harsh meanings.

Daniel Ferris

[Renaissance Clothing]

yeah! and a lot of that adult advertisements were banned. =)

[Nicholas Ludwig]

Tooth fairies actually originated in Europe. In the old practices, when a child's sixth tooth falls out, that's the time the tooth fairy slips a gift or money under the child's pillow. Nowadays, parents still do this for their kids. This encourages kids to not be afraid of going to their dentist. However, parents must avoid spoiling their kids with too much and try to be more realistic. =)

[Jenna Schrock]

I believe it doesn't matter if it is science or not as long as it entertains our children. Tooth fairies play an important role in suppressing the tension in dental situations. I believe that, as long as it works, then it's fitting enough.