The tooth fairy is real. She’s a dentist in Seattle.
For 20 years, Purva Merchant, B.D.S., has been more than a pediatric dentist; she’s been the tooth fairy.
The Seattle dentist took on that mythical role by accident after her boyfriend — now husband — created an email address for her in 2004 that included “tooth fairy” in the name as she applied to dental school. About three years later, she received her first message from a mother, likely desperate to show her child an “official” message from the tooth fairy explaining why she hadn’t visited their house yet:
“Dear Toothfairy, for two nights in a row, you have skipped Calum’s house. He will be at school today, do you think you can come while he’s at school? That would make him very happy!”
Dr. Merchant replied:
“Hi Calum’s mom, I’m so sorry to have missed Calum’s tooth. I’ve been busy picking up teeth from all the other little children’s homes. It’s been a busy season for me. I’ll be sure to stop by tonight :)”
Since then, Dr. Merchant has responded to about 6,000 emails sent to her by parents and children, often reassuring them that she can find a tooth that was accidentally swallowed or fell down the drain, that she has been unusually busy but their house is next on her list, that she can complete the transaction in their local currency, and more.
“There’s something amazing about doing something for someone, and they don’t know who you are,” Dr. Merchant said. “This came from the universe, it came from nowhere.”
Read more: The New York Times
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