Meet The Black Dentists Making the World a Brighter Place

Advancements in technology are revolutionizing cosmetic dental procedures and driving the popularity of several treatments such as porcelain veneers, crowns, implants, mouth reconstruction, and teeth whitening. The teeth whitening industry, valued at $6.6 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $8.6 billion by 2028. Additionally, the dentistry market is anticipated to experience a revenue growth of 7% from 2018 to 2026.

But have you ever considered the people behind perfecting that smile? The American Dental Association reports a concerning disparity: Black Americans make up 13.4% of the US population, yet only 3.8% of dentists identify as Black. Here, we meet four Black dentists changing the landscape of dentistry one smile at a time.

Dr. Brandon Mack is a distinguished figure in dentistry, renowned for his innovative approach and passionate advocacy. A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Dr. Mack is a pioneer in integrating digital technology to enhance patient experience and treatment outcomes. His patients can even test out their new smile through the “Tooth Test Drive” before they decide to proceed with treatment.

Numerous negative experiences with veneer techs have sparked a national conversation on social media. Dr. Mack highlights how these issues disproportionately affect underrepresented communities.

“I think that the future of dentistry is bright,” Dr. Mack said. “Right now, we are in the midst of a revolution where the demand for dentistry is outrunning our technological advances and ability to provide solutions to the demand."

Rather than dwelling on these challenges, Dr. Mack draws motivation from them to address healthcare disparities, particularly in dental care. He is driven to develop innovative approaches that can bridge these gaps and provide effective and equitable solutions.

“I think in the next 10 years, we'll have the solution and we'll be pumping on it,” he says. “People's lives will be changed.”

The cost of dental care in the U.S. is a growing concern for many.

A 2024 study analyzed the cost of dental care among the G7 countries, which include Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, and Italy. Unsurprisingly, the findings showed that dental care in the U.S. ranked as the most expensive, averaging $518 for treatments.

A graduate of Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Dr. Erik Ligans balanced his studies with his passion for alleviating health disparities by providing healthcare to underserved communities through several volunteer opportunities with nonprofits, according to his website.

For the California native — who was born in Inglewood and raised in Chino Hills — that passion continued long after graduation. The skilled cosmetic and general dentist opened Playa District Dental in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles three years ago. Shortly after opening his facility in March 2021, he partnered with Physicians for a Healthy California, which provides patients universal health care to ensure low-income communities have access to quality care, especially in his facility that defies societal norms.

“I am paving the way for future dentists like myself,” Ligans said in a 2021 interview. “It’s important to me that I lead by example, which is why I’m so dedicated to giving back and serving the underserved.”

With basketball posters hung up, R&B music playing, and a neon sign that reads “Pulled up on Dr. E,” Dr. Ligans, often decked out in Jordan or stylish Nike shoes, prides himself on creating an environment that looks to break the stigma of routinely visiting a dentist.

Dr. De'Quincy Bingham, 33, recently shared his first implant surgery on Instagram and credited another Black dentist for the opportunity. This milestone came nearly two months after Dr. Bingham fulfilled a three-decade-long dream of becoming a dentist. In May, Dr. Bingham posted on social media, highlighting his accomplishment of graduating from Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee.

In one social video posted to Instagram in May, Dr. Bingham, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek fraternity established for African-American men in 1906, highlighted several clips along his journey towards graduation. One clip featured a list of goals he set in 2017, with the final achievement being his education at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry.

Now completed, the proud father joins the ranks of the 4% of Black Americans who have become dentists. With his passion and dedication, Dr. Bingham is poised to make a significant impact in dentistry and beyond, hopefully inspiring the next generation of Black dentists.

Dr. Justin Nwosu has truly redefined what it means to be a dentist in the digital age. A recent graduate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, he has successfully built a significant online presence as a content creator across multiple social media platforms. With nearly 30,000 followers across his platforms and an impressive 300,000 video likes on TikTok alone, Dr. Nwosu has captured the attention of a broad audience interested in dental health and lifestyle. Candid posts allowed followers to peek behind the curtains of the life of a dental student and his journey towards graduation.

One comment on a recent post reads, “I feel like I graduated with you.”

After graduation, Dr. Nwosu took to Instagram writing: “Graduation day was truly magical, a dream realized before my very eyes. Walking across that stage marked the culmination of years of relentless hard work and sacrifice. Leaving behind my role as a student and stepping into my new journey as a clinician filled me with immense pride and excitement. This new chapter holds endless possibilities, and I can’t wait to embrace them all.”