From Dental Fear to Dental Expert: Meet Imelda Lama

At My Dental Care West End, our team is made up of people who don’t just understand dentistry; they understand what it’s like to be in the patient’s chair.

This week, we’re introducing you to Imelda Lama. Originally trained as a dentist in Nepal, Imelda brings a unique blend of high-level clinical expertise and deep empathy to our clinic. We sat down with her to discuss how a childhood fear turned into a lifelong passion and why she’s so committed to making your visit stress-free.

Turning Trauma into Transformation

Most people enter healthcare because they love the field, but for Imelda, it started with a “really traumatic experience” at the dentist as a child.

“I hated going there,” Imelda admits. “When I was at the end of high school… a professor mentioned that there is a specialty in dentistry that deals with kids. I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I should do that, because I want to make sure other kids don’t have the same traumatic experience that I did.'”

It’s this mission to protect others from the anxiety she once felt that makes Imelda such a calming presence in our treatment rooms today.

The Power of “One Step Ahead”

Having practiced as a dentist in Nepal, Imelda possesses a “clinical sixth sense.” She doesn’t just assist; she anticipates.

“Because of my background, I know what the dentist needs to make sure the appointment goes smoothly,” she explains. “I’m always trying to make sure I’m one step ahead of them… to make things go as fast as possible and try to make the patient feel more comfortable.”

This expertise allows her to balance technical precision with a warm, genuine connection. She knows exactly what’s happening during your procedure, which helps her guide you through it with total composure.

A Focus on Prevention

One of the biggest shifts Imelda noticed when moving from Nepal to Australia was the mindset toward dental health.

“In Nepal, most of our treatment plans are very pain-management focused… whereas here, they have the six-monthly checkups and cleans, so they are more preventative,” she says. It’s a shift she embraces, as it allows for a more gentle, long-term approach to a beautiful smile.

Imelda’s Pro-Tip: The “Sugar Rinse”

We all know we should floss (and Imelda agrees—“You should never skip flossing!”), but she has a second, overlooked tip for those times when you’re on the go.

“If you are drinking anything sugary or carbonated and you can’t brush at the moment, at least rinse with water. It helps balance the pH in the mouth.” 

Food, Friends, and Furry Colleagues 

When she’s not at the clinic, Imelda is a self-confessed foodie. Her ultimate comfort? Homemade Nepalese dumplings called Momo. “It’s a really, really tasty food… it takes a lot of time, but if I have the time, I prefer making it for myself.”

But even on a busy day at the clinic, Imelda feels right at home. Between the tight-knit team and our resident therapy dog, Mueller, the environment at West End is exactly what she hoped for when she entered the profession.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m coming to work; I feel like I’m coming to see my friends,” she says. “And also the fact that we have Mueller… it makes it a lot better!”

Want to experience a calmer, more comfortable dental visit? Book in to see the team at My Dental Care West End and experience the expert care of professionals like Imelda!