Sir, I have been an avid reader of the BDJ since I was a first year dental student and I have never felt so compelled to write to you and express my outrage after reading the first two letters from Volume 224 No. 4, 23 February 2018, under the subheading 'Editorial decisions'.1,2

I would like you to know that I loved the cartoon cover arts, especially the one with the mouse and the fox. I always enjoy the different types of artwork on the BDJ and reading about their background.

As for the Christmas edition I simply cannot fathom why anyone would be against something light hearted and humorous. Dentistry is a tough profession and I am sure most dentists have felt down, depressed and anxious at some point. I personally feel the festive season can be quite overwhelming as there is a pressure on people in general to be all happy and jolly, but for us the same pressures still apply; indeed it can be an even busier time of year with extra patients. Reading something funny written by your fellow professionals could make the world of difference for someone feeling a bit low. It could bring a smile and some cheer for a dentist feeling overwhelmed.

I write this letter to assure you that the majority of the profession appreciate and enjoy the more light-hearted elements of the journal and request that this tradition continues. Yes dentistry is a serious profession, and yes we all enjoy reading the factual content of the journal, but having something fun certainly doesn't take any credit away from this well respected journal. Indeed it is of my opinion it actually makes it even more loved as the journal which is known to have something for every dentist no matter what discipline they are in.