Meet Dr. Catrise Austin, the Celebrity Cosmetic Dentist and Branding Coach who has worked with a slew of celebrities, including Cardi B, DJ Khalid, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, and Toni Braxton.
Catrise made the decision to become a dentist while attending orthodontist appointments at the age of 15. She pursued her doctorate degree in dental surgery from the University of Maryland in 1996 and completed her advanced studies in dentistry at Brooklyn’s Lutheran Medical Center.
When she opened VIP Smiles in 1998, she drew a slew of celebrity clients, including Missy Elliot, Toni Braxton, Paula Abdul, Common, and Isaac Hayes. She is also credited with repairing the teeth of American rapper Cardi B, a move that catapulted her brand’s recognition to a whole new level of success.
The doctor was featured in Cardi B’s single, “Bodak Yellow,” which made it to the Billboard Hot 100, according to the Cut. The rapper commended the work of Dr. Catrise in her lyrics, saying “Got a bag and fixed my teeth. Hope you hoes know it ain’t cheap”. This directed huge business traffic to the doctor’s facility, with new clients requesting the same oral experience as the rapper.
Dr. Catrise recalls receiving a call from the producers of MTV Love and Hip-hop in 2016, asking her to correct the rapper’s teeth after social media went crazy over it. According to Byte, she gave the American musician a once-in-a-lifetime dental makeover and still receives recommendations from Cardi B fans needing a smile makeover seven years later.
Aside from her celebrity customers, Dr. Catrise also works with business leaders, singles, and anyone else who wants to improve their smile. She believes that a confident grin is good for people’s health.
In 2018, she created a campaign to make affordable smile makeovers easily available to individuals, inspired by her personal dental experience, which enhanced her confidence in her teens. Prior to her humanitarian efforts, Dr. Catrise was recognized one of the 25 most significant black women in business by VIP Smiles in 1999.
