Doctor Shaamil Navaratnaraja

Flossing and mouthwash is a must, like how we brush our teeth. They should be included in our daily routine to keep our oral hygiene in 
good health.

Today I speak to Colombo’s favourite dentist, who seems to know what to say and how to say it to keep even her youngest patient sitting calm. Shaamil Navaratnaraja has her fingers in everyone’s mouth (pun intended) from cricketers and film stars to all the top names in Colombo who are fighting for an appointment with her. Today I speak to her on the Buzz, about what made her choose this industry... 

 Tell us a bit about your background and where you have lived? Why did you settle down in Sri Lanka?

My initial schooling started from Bishop’s College Colombo 3. I left Sri Lanka during school and pursued the rest of my education until my graduation in India (Chennai). I got my work experience also from there and then came to Sri Lanka and got my eligibility examination cleared and started to work here. I always wanted to come back home, treat my people and share my knowledge.

What made you choose to study dentistry? Did you always know it was what you wanted to do?

Dentistry was not what I wanted to do at the beginning of my career but, I always loved to communicate with people so wanted to pursue something which I would cherish every day and make smiles beautiful. Dentistry is an art and a blessing which can make many people beautiful, confident and happy. So I wanted to choose this field.

What areas of your dentistry work do you most enjoy?

I treat patients from pediatrics to geriatrics and make sure to give them the experience of fearless dentistry. The most enjoyable part is treating kids who are our future smiles, who need education, awareness and care from childhood.

What are some things about dental health you wish more people knew about?

Kids dentistry is very poor as I come across many kids who have many issues but have not been identified at an early age. Also, the working community / housewives their negligence is also something very heartbreaking.

Outside of your dentistry work, do you have any hobbies or special interests?

Outside dentistry, I do a lot of counselling for kids as well as adults on mental health and childcare. I also help under privileged, special kids to improve their oral health as well as their overall health. Also, my most loved hobbies are painting and decorating my home and travelling.

 What’s exciting in the future of dentistry for you as a dentist in South Asia?

We already have the ‘Zoom Teeth Whitening’ as the first in South Asia. Likewise in the future dentistry is all about digital smile designing. Digital scanning and AI. So, I’m planning to upgrade my clinic with the newest technology in Sri Lanka to give patients the most updated treatment.

You are known for your great work with kids, happy smiles came up from that. tell Me what makes kids feel so comfortable with you? 

While I was working in Sri Lanka there was a huge negligence in kids’ dentistry. This actually shocked me, as I noticed so many children with poor oral hygiene, very poor oral habits and negligence. Parents think that it’s okay to not to give much attention as they are temporary teeth and will fall off, not realising there is so much behind their happy smile. A kid’s smile is so precious and beautiful, it gives them self-confidence, self-esteem, positivity, speech development, eating, guide for the permanent tooth to erupt in place etc. By neglecting teeth they miss the experience of the beauty of a kid. Once you miss their smile you miss it forever. This made me think and start happysmiles.lk on Instagram so I could bring awareness and teach the importance of kids’ oral care to help the future be smiling, beautiful and happy.

What are your thoughts about flossing and mouthwash? 

Flossing and mouthwash is a must like how we brush. They should be included in our daily routine to keep our oral hygiene in good health.

Do you feel our  schools teach enough about oral health?

  Schools have very little awareness of oral health. I try my best to do School Oral Health Camps. 

As you know, we are a sweet loving nation. What are the common problems that you see with Sri Lankan teeth? 

The awareness and care are very poor. We as Sri Lankans do not do a check up every 6 months. We only check with a dentist when we have pain. Then it will be too late. More and more awareness is needed. 6 months checkup is important to prevent major dental issues.

What do you do when you have a patient who has bad breath?

Bad breath is completely due to bad care. They need to visit the dentist and find the cause, get it treated as it can lead to major issues.

would you tell our readers about visiting a dentist at least once a year?

Negligence in dentistry is expensive. Once in 6 months a dental checkup is a must. Dental issues can lead to many systemic issues. For example, people with diabetes have a higher risk of tooth and gum problems. It’s important to look after your oral health by visiting your dentist regularly. Invest in good oral habits from childhood, it will take you a long way!

Pix courtesy - 
Dr  Shaamil