The Singing Dentist | Video

Alan Miller | 10/29/2012

A generation ago, the Osmond Brothers were at the top of the pop charts. Their popularity rivaled that of the Jackson Five, and they were famous around the world. Their pearly white smiles also set them apart. And now, there`s a North Dakota connection.

Steve Osmond, son of Wayne and nephew of Donny and Marie, has moved to Bismarck with his family. While he doesn`t make his living in the music industry, he`s definitely all about teeth.

When you`re having a root canal done on a tooth, it`s nice to have some distractions. Custom Endodontics has a classic car motif that can keep your mind occupied. Now there`s something else. The new dentist looks somewhat familiar. And when you see the name, Doctor Osmond, you`re almost drawn to ask, "Are you related to that singing family?"

Yes, he is.

"Most people apologize, you know, like, `Oh, I don`t want to bug you about it or anything." I`m like, you know, I`m super proud of them, so I love talking about it," he said.

It`s his job to save a tooth that won`t stay in without help. And Steve, who has done some performing with the extended family, is the first member of the famous family to become a doctor. The spark came from his parents, who stressed the importance of schooling. His father never finished college, since he spent more than fifty years in the music business.

"My mom and dad met at college. My mom was on a music scholarship; she sings opera. So, that`s a whole `nother joke, that we`d say, `Mom`s a better singer than Dad,` you know, (laughs). But you know, they really encouraged education and my mom and dad always said that, you know, you can go sing, you can perform, as long as you get a degree first."

He earned that degree and decided to go in a new direction.

"When I told them I was going to dental school, they were excited because, who`s going to take care of all those Osmond teeth, you know, except me? So they were excited. Yeah, they were kind of surprised a little bit. And I remember my dad thinking, `Really? You want to work... aren`t they kind of down in the mouth?` And I`m like, Dad, that`s such an old joke."

That`s another Osmond trait: a corny sense of humor.

Steve has started a trend. His brother became the second doctor in the family, and his sister became the third. While his father has retired, most of his uncles and many of his cousins are still performing.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES