The DMD Check-Up: Rock Star's Unlicensed Dental Clinic Shut Down

Lenny Kravitz made one major oversight when he tried to give away free dental care to residents of the Bahamas. That story tops this week’s DMD Check-Up. Also making the list: A dentist with whom the Force is strong, and good news on the “robots are taking our jobs” front.

• Lenny Kravitz Dental Clinic Shut Down (Tribune242)

A free dental clinic in the Bahamas established by singer/songwriter Lenny Kravitz was abruptly closed after local officials discovered it was not licensed. Kravitz, who has a home on the islands, is a four-time Grammy Award winner.

• Georgia Dentist has “Star Wars” Museum (wjhl.com)

The force is strong with him. Dr. David Simonds has been “a die hard nut about ‘Star Wars’ ever since the first movie in 1977.” To show his devotion the dentist keeps a Star Wars museum above his dental office—full of vehicle models, character statues, and weapons like blasters and lightsabers.

• Navy Dentist Security Clearance Denial Questioned (Forward)

Two Jewish organizations are calling for a review of US security practices after a dentist who worked for the Navy was denied security clearance on account of immediate family members who live in Israel. The groups called the actions against Dr. Gershon Pincus “outrageous and offensive.”

• Robots Can't Replace Dentists (Bloomberg)

Dentists, computer scientists, and doctors “are the jobs least likely to be taken by robots as automation spreads through advanced economies,” according to a Bank of England report. Jobs with a “high creative and technical content,” and those requiring “emotional intelligence,” are those most impervious to the rise of robots.

• In Dental Health, Areas of Improving Access (Pewtrusts.org)

According to a report from The Pew Charitable Trusts, “three evidence-based policy solutions to oral health access problems gained ground at the local, state, and national levels in 2015: workforce innovation, school-based sealant programs, and community water fluoridation.”

• National Museum of Dentistry (University of Maryland School of Dentistry)

Dentists looking to take a working vacation in the New Year, might consider a trip to quiet Maryland. There at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry is the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry—“America's premier national museum dedicated to dental history.”

• Louisiana Dentist Wins Hero Medal (The Times-Picayune)

A brave New Orleans dentist who saved the life of a stabbing victim has been named a recipient of the Carnegie Medal for “civilian heroism.” Dr. Laurence T. Norton, III rushed from his dental office to fight off the vicious attack on a woman by her ex-boyfriend.

• Why Do Teeth Have Their Own Doctors and Insurance? (Newsworks.org)

An interesting story on the history of dental care and how it is paid for. “What goes on inside a person's mouth can have a big impact on overall health, but the whole field of dentistry, as well as dental coverage, has long operated in its own sphere.”

• Gum Disease Linked to Breast Cancer (Niagara Frontier Publications)

Females with “periodontal disease are at greater risk for breast cancer, especially if they smoke or recently quit smoking,” according to University at Buffalo researchers. Periodontal bacteria has an effect on other parts of the body, including breast tissue.

• America's Dentists Care Foundation (adcfmom.org)

Dedicated to delivering oral health care to the underserved. ADCF supports dental Missions of Mercy clinics, which provide free oral health care to any person who attends on a first come, first served basis—no questions asked. Visit, learn and give. ‘Tis the season to be generous.