By Dr. Kriti Mainali, Operation Director, BDS, MDS (Pediatric Dentist)
Every dentist has a case that stays with them long after the patient has left the chair. For me, that case came early in my career, back when I was working as a general dentist, in my very first year at The Shine Dental Clinic.
A Difficult Case from Butwal
A four-and-a-half-year-old girl was referred to us from Butwal. Her family had tried to get her treated elsewhere, but the case was too complex to manage there, so they were sent to us. It wasn’t unusual; at Shine Dental, we see a wide variety of cases, from routine checkups to some of the most difficult pediatric cases in the region. But this one was different from the moment she walked in.
She had multiple dental issues, all needing attention. What worried me even more than her teeth, though, was her. She was unusually quiet. Shy. She wouldn’t speak much, and she never smiled, not even a small one.
Rebuilding More Than Just Teeth
Treating her wasn’t quick. Her front teeth needed extensive work: multiple root canals, followed by crowns, done carefully over several appointments. It was slow, patient work, both clinically and emotionally, since building trust with a child that is guarded takes time too.
Then came her final appointment.
We gave her a large mirror so she could see the results for herself. And for the first time since we’d met her, she smiled: a full, unguarded, joyful smile.
The Moment Her Parents Understood
Her parents were standing right there, and I watched the realization hit them in real time: their daughter hadn’t smiled like that in years, and they hadn’t fully understood why. It wasn’t just shyness. It was her teeth: years of quiet discomfort and self-consciousness that had shaped how she carried herself, spoke, and connected with the world around her.
Seeing her look at her own reflection, genuinely happy, I felt something words don’t fully capture. I felt like I had done something that mattered, not just restored teeth, but given a child back a piece of herself.
Why This Case Still Guides My Practice
That moment changed how I think about pediatric dentistry. It’s never just about the clinical procedure. It’s about the child in the chair: their comfort, their confidence, and the way they see themselves when they look in the mirror.
Every difficult case that comes through our doors at The Shine Dental Clinic, I think back to that little girl from Butwal. Her smile is a reminder of why we do this work.
Dr. Kriti Mainali is a pediatric dentist and Operation Director at The Shine Dental Clinic, specializing in complex and difficult pediatric dental cases. Learn more about Dr. Mainali.
Is Your Child Avoiding Their Smile?
If your child has been hiding their smile, avoiding certain foods, or seems unusually quiet because of dental discomfort, don’t wait. Early treatment can change more than just their teeth, it can change how confidently they move through the world.
Book an appointment with Dr. Kriti Mainali at The Shine Dental Clinic today →
