Jean Paul Laurent

Jean Paul Laurent Bio

Jean Paul Laurent [he/him] is an award-winning social entrepreneur, public speaker, Presidential Leadership Scholar, innovator, and children's book author dedicated to advancing global oral health equity.

A proud graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, he is a member of the 2018 inaugural class of NYU Alumni Changemakers and a recipient of multiple NYU honors, including the 2026 NYU Distinguished Recent Alumni Award and the 2023 NYU College of Dentistry Public Service Award. He is also a member of the 2026 Cohort of the Global Oral Health Leadership (GOHL) Institute by the International College of Dentists. His work is defined by a bold, interdisciplinary approach that leverages both capitalism and philanthropy to direct attention, resources, and innovation toward populations that have been historically left behind. His leadership and impact have been featured on News 12, ABC, MSNBC, and in Forbes, and highlighted in the national "Smile" campaign with Lay's.

Through Unspoken Smiles—the first oral health-focused NGO accredited by the United Nations—Laurent is building a global movement to transform how oral health is delivered and understood. He has pioneered a prevention-first model integrating care delivery, education, and community engagement, mobilizing a new generation of oral health professionals rooted in service and driven by purpose. Under his leadership, the organization has reached thousands of children across multiple countries while scaling innovative, community-based systems that connect art, health, culture, and education. His flagship initiatives include the launch of an eco-friendly Unspoken Smiles Clinic in Costa Rica and the development of the world's first Museum of Smile—groundbreaking platforms at the intersection of health, sustainability, and culture. As a trailblazer, he is also the first Black man to hold a U.S. patent for an eco-friendly toothbrush (Patent No. 11,700,934), underscoring his commitment to disruptive, systems-level solutions.

Jean Paul has contributed to international policy dialogue aligned with the World Health Organization, the Bangkok Declaration on Oral Health, and is a member of the Global Oral Health Action Plan, strengthening the global case for oral health as a foundation of sustainable human development. His work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

As a 2026 Presidential Leadership Scholar, Laurent is learning directly from the leadership and decision-making frameworks of U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson—applying those insights to advance global health solutions.

Laurent lives in Costa Rica with his wife, Priscilla, and their daughter, Paula, where he continues to expand his mission to ensure that every child, everywhere, has the dignity of a healthy smile.