Entry No. 32 — the Columbus file — filed under: outdoor
Dragonbrush
A quirky, colorful green dragon sculpture standing on a dental clinic's lawn, proudly guarding a giant toothbrush.
The story
If you drive down North High Street past the Bourgeois Family Dental Center at number 5400, you will spot something that breaks every rule of suburban curb appeal: a bright green dragon crouched on the front lawn, stubbornly guarding a giant toothbrush. Installed in 2005, the sculpture—officially named 'Dragonbrush'—was placed on the grass by a four-generation family practice that coyly claims the creature was chosen by 'mysterious forces beyond our understanding.' The title itself is a literal pun on dragon brushes, the specialized fine-bristle tools fine-art painters use when rendering mythical beasts.
The lawn statue isn't an isolated piece of dental eccentricism; it doubles as the physical anchor for the clinic's local outreach. The practice maintains a green dragon mascot named Melvin who visits local classrooms during National Children's Dental Health Month to talk to kids about dental hygiene. While roadside oddities along High Street usually belong to vintage shops or music venues, a team of local dentists decided a giant reptile clutching hygiene gear was the best possible landmark for their Clintonville clinic.
What it's like
Expect a quick, zero-cost roadside pull-over on the east side of High Street. Because the statue sits directly on the front grass of an active dental office, you do not need an appointment, a fee, or clean teeth to inspect it—just pull into the parking area or stand on the sidewalk. The vibe is peak suburban weirdness: a cartoonish green monster sitting mere feet from commuter traffic. Stop by during daylight hours for the best photo lighting, and try not to startle patients walking in for their morning cleanings.
The move: Drive by to marvel at the 'Dragonbrush' and snap a selfie with Melvin the dragon, then head down High Street for a sweet treat at a local bakery.
- 📍 Clintonville
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 5400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sword in the Stone — Continue your tour of weird dental office lawn art by driving two miles west to inspect a real metal sword embedded in a boulder outside another dentist's office.
- The Doll Museum at the Old Rectory — Head one mile north on High Street into Worthington to trade lawn dragons for hundreds of historic 19th-century dolls housed inside an 1845 rectory.
- Gates of Hell / Blood Bowl — Follow High Street south to transition from cheerful suburban lawn art to Clintonville's subterranean, graffiti-covered drainage tunnel.
Good to know
Where is the Dragonbrush sculpture located?
It sits on the front lawn of the Bourgeois Family Dental Center at 5400 N High St in Columbus's Clintonville neighborhood.
Do I need to book an appointment or pay admission to see it?
No. The sculpture is located outdoors on the dental clinic's front lawn, so you can view and photograph it from the sidewalk or driveway for free anytime.
Who is Melvin the dragon?
Melvin is the dental center's green dragon mascot who visits local elementary schools during National Children's Dental Health Month.
When was the Dragonbrush statue installed?
The statue was placed on the dental office lawn in 2005.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: bourgeoisdental.com · jaxstumpes.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21