Editing Dentarians (section)

==Sociology:== 
Dentarian culture is far from homogeneous on any scale; there are at least 77 significant political powers on the planet, five major religious or philosophical movements, evidence of sexual, physiological and economic stratification of varying degrees within the socio-political matrix, and an age bias against older (generally enfeebled) Dentarians.  However, it should be noted that all of these factors are fairly moderate in intensity, with relatively little strife stemming from friction between factions.  Most problems are political, derived from the interaction of the three major political powers.  There is a strong feeling of personal privacy throughout all Dentarian cultures which seems to be inherent in the mental makeup of virtually all Dentarians (at least, it does not /appear/ to be sociological), and serves to moderate all of the previously noted influences.

Dentarians are, conversely, unusually intimate physically.  Dentarian culture is rife with touch-based contact.  The predominant greeting throughout all parts of Dentarit is a two-handed clasp, made with both arms akimbo, forearms raised up, palms forward.  The clasp is made while both parties are in extremely close ventral proximity (i.e., face-to-face, almost nose-to-nose).  The greeting is often and easily modified (one-handed and no-handed) depending on a variety of circumstances, but is almost always based on the root greeting.  Kissing is intensely personal and performed only in deeply romantic situations, and never publicly.  Dentarians do not seem to be strongly gregarious - no more so than [[Human|Terran]] humans, for example - but they seem to take much greater pleasure in close company when they do congregate.  Dentarians have a much smaller "personal space" than most Federation [[humanoid]]s.

Dentarian clothing is diversely utilitarian:  that is, a wide variety of clothing is worn to accommodate specific needs, such as working conditions or weather extremes.  All clothing is colored to suit the needs and the wearer's own personal sense of style, as well as the job (much as certain color/style patterns are employed in the Federation to denote occupation).  However, the normal Dentarian outfit, worn globally when weather permits and utilitarian garb is not required, seems to be a kilt-like garment for both males and females, with an additional upper garment resembling a front-only bodice for females.  A variety of belt-pouches and sporran-like purses are normally worn as well.  Foot gear is only used when necessary; Dentarians tend to go barefoot whenever possible, and shoes, sandals, boots, etc. are removed before entering a dwelling.

Dentarians do not seem to use makeup or tattooing 

:'''''[NOTE: some exceptions apparent; possibly military? further data required], or indulge in ostentatious social costuming.  They do have a strong affinity for perfumes, and all Dentarians can be found applying perfumes on themselves several times a day for a variety of circumstances; the perfume types vary according to the social situation.  Most Dentarians carry at least four different kinds of perfume at all times.'''''