Dr. Karen Fields-Lever Is Building Confidence, Community, and a Long- Lasting Legacy

For many people, going to the dentist isn’t always a priority. Once they become adults, routine cleanings and checkups often fall to the bottom of the list, with many only scheduling an appointment when they’re experiencing pain or an emergency. But according to Dr. Karen Fields-Lever, that’s exactly the mindset she’s hoping to change.

“Dentistry is not highlighted a lot within our communities,” she told me during our interview. “It’s important for me to expose children to it. I need to ensure that they have access to care and a space where they can come and receive treatment.”

As the founder of 28 to BRUSH, a multi-million-dollar dental practice serving tens of thousands of patients, Dr. Karen has dedicated her career to educating people that oral health is about much more than aesthetics. Through her practice and community outreach efforts, she has spent nearly two decades helping people understand the connection between oral health, confidence, and overall wellness. That connection is something she sees every day, especially among children.

“We find that children do better when they feel like they have a confident smile,” she explained. “They can show their teeth proudly, be around their peers more, and have more of a social life.” While cosmetic dentistry continues to grow in popularity, Dr. Karen believes healthy teeth should always come before appearance. “We can build the house. We can give you the mansion,” she said. “But we have to make sure your foundation is stable because if you don’t have a good foundation, all of the fun and pretty stuff we’re doing won’t survive.” Dr. Fields-Lever also hopes people begin viewing oral health as part of their overall health rather than something separate. “The mouth is definitely the window to the system,” she explained. “It’s very important that we listen to it so we know if there are other things going on systemically.”

While helping others build confidence has become her life’s work, Dr. Karen’s own journey started years before she ever opened the doors to 28 to BRUSH. Her educational path took her from Spelman College to Howard University before completing her residency at Yale, and she says each experience shaped her in a different way. “Spelman taught me how to be diverse and how to be a different type of Black woman because we all don’t look alike. We all don’t lead the same way, and we all don’t learn the same way,” she shared. Those lessons continue to influence the way she leads her own team today, recognizing that every employee brings different strengths and perspectives.

Howard, however, gave her something entirely different. “I feel like I was hazed at Howard,” she laughed and said jokingly. “It was the toughest time of my life, but I don’t think I would’ve made it without learning that grit.”

Although she’s now known as a successful entrepreneur, dentistry wasn’t always the plan. It was actually a mentor at Spelman who recognized her passion for science and art and introduced her to dentistry, encouraging her to pursue a career that combined both.

Today, Dr. Karen has become that same source of encouragement for others. Through school visits and outreach initiatives, she has now provided dental care and education to nearly 27,000 children across underserved communities, introducing many of them to careers in healthcare for the very first time. “It’s important that they see someone who looks like them,” she said. “A lot of them tell me, ‘I didn’t even know you could become a dentist.’”

Building that kind of impact hasn’t happened overnight. This year, 28 to BRUSH celebrated 13 years in business, and while Dr. Karen says she’s grateful for the practice’s continued growth, entrepreneurship has come with lessons of its own. One of the biggest was learning to protect her brand after having to rename her practice because she hadn’t trademarked the original name.

“I tell people all the time, yes, get your LLC,” she said. “But trademark your business. Protect your name. It’s so important for your own protection.” Despite the challenges, Dr. Karen has remained committed to making quality dental care accessible by offering payment options, educating patients about insurance, and helping families receive the care they need without feeling overwhelmed.

Although dentistry remains her first passion, Dr. Karen is now preparing for another chapter. She recently announced plans to bring a Black woman-owned luxury nail concept from Detroit to Chicago, expanding her commitment to wellness beyond oral health. “I want the location to feed into the community,” she said. “I want it to provide jobs for our community. Everything I do is intentional.” The new venture is another way she hopes to create opportunities while building something her children can inherit one day. “When I’m dead and gone, they’ll have these businesses they can use to continue to create generational wealth,” she said.

Despite balancing multiple businesses, mentoring young women, and serving thousands of patients, Dr. Karen makes sure to prioritize herself, too. Whether it’s spending time on a boat with friends, getting her hair done, or simply stepping away from work for a day, she believes self-care isn’t optional. “I believe in tiptoeing away,” she said. “Being around other like-minded women who are doing wonderful things is self-care for me.”

When asked what she hopes people remember most about her, her answer wasn’t based on awards or business success. “My goal is to always make people feel good about themselves,” she said. “Hopefully, in my presence, they feel comfortable and feel seen as the human and person they are.” As she continues expanding her businesses, mentoring future healthcare professionals, and increasing access to dental care, Dr. Karen describes this season of her life with one word: blossoming. “You’re never too old to blossom,” she said. “The chapters are still being written daily.”

As Dr. Karen continues growing her practice and expanding into new ventures, her focus remains the same: serving others. Whether she’s educating patients about the importance of oral health, mentoring the next generation of Black women in STEM, or creating greater access to care within underserved communities, she’s intentional about using her platform to make a difference. For Dr. Karen, success isn’t just about building businesses; her impact extends far beyond the walls of her practice. She’s passionate about building something that leaves a lasting impact on the people and communities she serves, and she’s only just getting started.

For more information on Dr. Karen Fields-Lever:

Website: http://drkarendds.com/

Instagram: @drkarendds

Facebook: @28toBrush