Seattle dentist has played role of the tooth fairy for years
By the numbers: Purva Merchant, who works as a pediatric dentist in Seattle, replies to nearly three to five emails a day sent to a "toothfairy" email address, per the NYT.
Over the years, Merchant estimates she's since responded to about 6,000 emails intended for the tooth fairy.
How it works: Sometimes, she reassures children that she can find their lost teeth; other times, she promises she'll make it to their house soon, the NYT reports.
Flashback: In 2004, Merchant's boyfriend — now husband — set up the "toothfairy" email account to help her organize dental school applications and stay in touch with family.
About three years later, Merchant — whose nickname was "the Tooth Fairy" — received her first email directed to the actual tooth fairy, according to the Times.
What they're saying: "Dr. Merchant realized she was hearing from a frantic parent who had forgotten to tuck a few bills under a child's pillow and needed to appease that child. She decided to help out," the newspaper writes.
The fine print: Merchant asked the Times not to publish her full "toothfairy" email address, to avoid getting inundated with so many emails she can't respond to them all.
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