Before his sold-out Auckland show, Megadeth's Dave Mustaine went to the dentist

A west Auckland dentist had a brush with heavy metal royalty after a visit from the 65-year-old Megadeth frontman on Saturday.

Serena SolomonLifestyle journalist

9 November 2026

4 min read

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine (third from right) with the staff of Green Bay Dental including dentist Rashid Bharuchi.

Serena SolomonLifestyle journalist

9 November 2026

4 min read

Caption:Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine (third from right) with the staff of Green Bay Dental including dentist Rashid Bharuchi.Photo credit:supplied

Hours before playing to more than 12,000 fans at Spark Arena on Saturday morning, heavy metal legend Dave Mustaine was sitting in a dentist’s chair in west Auckland.

The 65-year-old Megadeth frontman and former Metallica guitarist was in Auckland supporting Iron Maiden’s two sold-out shows. But before taking the stage, Mustaine made a more mundane stop at Green Bay Dental for a precautionary check, says dentist and practice owner Rashid Bharuchi.

“Three guys walked in, they sat down and filled out a questionnaire sort of thing for us, and then we took them through, and it was cool.

“They were amazing. Great bunch of guys and Dave was cool - a lot of energy for someone in his 60s.”

Singer and song-writer Ed Sheeran's visit to Green Bay Dental in 2023.
Green Bay Dental/Facebook

Mustaine has been open about the impact treatment for throat cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation, has had on his teeth. He had recently had major dental work done in the US and wanted to get it checked, says Bharuchi, adding that Mustaine gave permission for the practice to post about his visit on its Facebook page.

“He had just come from Nashville and he had some work done there and just wanted me to check to make sure everything was okay and what my thoughts were...”

Everything looked good, and no additional dental work was required.

Megadeth band members drummer Drik Verbeuren and lead guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, visited Auckland Zoo on Saturday.
Auckland Zoo

Other Megadeth band members, drummer Drik Verbeuren and lead guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari, documented a wholesome visit to Auckland Zoo on Saturday.

Bharuchi has become something of a go-to dentist for major musical acts after treating pop singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran in 2023. While he says he has treated numerous other celebrity musicians, Mustaine and Sheeran are the only ones he is permitted to speak about. The connection first came from a dental assistant who had previously worked in the music industry, says Bharuchi.

“We don't have to shut the place down or anything. We keep it as it is and they come, and they grab a seat.

“You know, they generally come with a couple of minders and they come with them, and you know, they have a manager that sort of comes through with them and just really relaxed and wonderful people.”

Sheeran sat with an iPad in the waiting room organising his set for that evening at Eden Park, says Bharuchi. His celebrity patients are often a pleasant surprise for his regulars in the waiting room.

But does he get nervous before peering into the mouths of famous performers?

“Look, you want to make sure that these shows that night go well, right?

“So you definitely have to make sure that you weigh it all up, if you’re going to do something.”