Rocking Oral Health: A Rockstar’s Perspective on Health, Equity and Access, with Lenny Kravitz

What does a Grammy-winning rock star have to do with oral and systemic health?

Lenny Kravitz has become an oral healthcare advocate after witnessing the desperate measures taken by residents of Eleuthera, Bahamas, where some resort to using black pepper and makeshift materials to treat severe tooth pain. Partnering with Dr. Jonathan Levine, Kravitz helped establish a comprehensive medical mission that has grown from 27 to 110 healthcare professionals, bringing together specialists, hygienists, administrators, and support staff who work 13-hour days providing critical oral care to an underserved population.

The impact of this work extends far beyond Eleuthera, exposing stark parallels between healthcare inequality in remote locations and underserved communities throughout the United States. Low-income populations are hundreds of times more likely to suffer from oral health conditions that impact their daily lives, while minorities face disproportionate barriers to care. The mission has evolved to include partnerships with Boston University’s public health team, offering preventive education in schools, salivary diagnostics, diabetes testing, and integrated medical-dental care—creating a model for how coordinated healthcare delivery could transform access and outcomes in underserved communities worldwide.

The Think Oral Health podcast dives deep into the profound connection between oral and systemic health. Join hosts Mariya Filipova and Dr. Jonathan Levine as they explore groundbreaking perspectives with pioneering healthcare innovators, researchers, and clinicians.