This doctor noticed kids fear dentists & built India’s first sensory pediatric dental clinic, has treated 45k+ patients with 20% YoY growth

In India, pediatric dentistry (that is, dentistry for children) has not gained much prominence, and it has not been taken seriously as an emerging market. This is shocking because children under the age of 10 make up a large patient segment. But oral healthcare was never designed for them, especially in India. 

Most children accompany their parents to visit regular adult dental clinics. These clinics are dull, intimidating and especially scary for young kids. Many adults on the Internet confess to being scared of visiting their dentist because of the eerie environment. Therefore, for a child to be scared of these clinics is normal. This fear often translates into fear, anxiety, resistance and life-long trauma. 

The Challenges In India’s Dental Industry 

Despite such evident emotions of children, the Indian healthcare system has normalised young kids visiting adults, and no major change has been made.  

What makes this more troubling is that nearly 50% of childhood oral diseases are preventable. 

• Cavities, 

• Gum issues, 

• Misaligned teeth, 

• Enamel damage 

These often begin early but go unnoticed until pain forces action. 

Pediatric dentistry, globally, is more about prevention, behaviour, psychology, and trust. In India, however, this specialisation remained underdeveloped for years, limited to departments inside large hospitals or single-chair practices dependent on individual doctors.

This gap between what children need and what the system offers is where Small Bites was born.

Also Read: 25-YO Jaipur Woman Quit Her Job At Amazon, Invested Rs 10k From Savings To Start An Exotic Salad Startup – Clocked Rs 3 Lakh In 3 Months

About The Founder 

For Dr. Premila Naidu, the journey into pediatric dentistry was deeply personal. As a dental student at Oxford Dental College in Bangalore, she knew early on that children’s dentistry was her calling, because it was the most neglected aspect in the Indian medical industry. 

She says in a candid interview with Startup Pedia, “I was scared of dentists myself as a child. Somewhere, I knew that if I felt this way, many children must feel the same. I wanted to change that experience completely.”

Upon finishing her graduation and post-graduation in pediatric dentistry, Dr. Premila Naidu opened her own clinic in Indiranagar, Bangalore, in 2007. The aim was quite revolutionary in those days: a dedicated dental clinic for kids alone.

Challenges Faced

However, the response was not as enthusiastic as she had expected; it was a lukewarm welcome.

• Awareness was low. 

• Parents did not feel the need for pediatric dentistry. 

• Footfall was low. 

• Revenue was almost zero. 

To keep herself going in the profession, Dr. Premila Naidu started working with the leading corporate hospitals like Fortis and Hrudayalaya.

“Working in large hospitals taught me a lot clinically. But it also showed me how limited these systems were when it came to children. Kids need more time, more empathy, more flexibility, and the system wasn’t built for that.” She highlights this career caveat in a conversation with Startup Pedia. 

Also Read: “We made the Saiyaara kurti & it was sold out,” Best Friends From Jaipur Started A Kurti Brand With Rs 17k – Clocked Rs 15 lakh In 6 months

Her Decision To Go All-In

But by 2012, she made a decisive choice. 

She stepped away from corporate roles and committed fully to building Small Bites, despite the financial uncertainty.

One of the hardest challenges was not treatment, it was awareness. 

Pediatric dental health was not a “felt need” in the community. Parents often waited until pain appeared. Preventive care was rarely discussed.

How She Popularised The Idea of Pediatric Dentistry? 

So Dr. Premila Naidu took dentistry outside the clinic:

1/ She began visiting preschools, housing societies, and community centres across Indiranagar

2/ Conducting oral health camps, speaking to parents, and educating teachers. 

• Slowly, conversations shifted. 

• Parents began to understand that dentistry for children wasn’t just about fixing teeth

Dr. Premila Naidu highlights, “Prevention doesn’t begin in clinics. It begins with awareness. If parents understand early, children don’t have to suffer later.”

By 2013–14, Small Bites began breaking even. 

Trust grew. Word-of-mouth spread. The clinic established itself as a safe, friendly space where children were not forced to get their treatment and sent away but were understood.

As patient volumes increased, Dr. Premila Naidu identified another systemic problem: doctor-dependence. 

Like many healthcare practices in India, the clinic was centred around its founder. If she wasn’t present, operations slowed.

Building Efficient Systems

The solution to this came when Dr. Naidu built systems that would help scale the idea of Small Bites, else the clinic would always depend on her. The Small Bites concept developed around three core principles:

1. Multi-Sensory

Small Bites clinics are not “colourful hospitals.” They are designed as carefully crafted environments. The use of textured floor surfaces, variable lighting, fidget tools, audiovisual equipment, and soothing colors all serve to alleviate fears. These aspects also ensure the clinics remain inclusive for neurodiverse children, such as autistic or ADHD children, as well as the provision of facilities for the children in wheelchairs.

2. Deep SOPs, Not Just Clinical Protocols

Right from the time a child steps into the clinic, everything becomes standardized—but also humane. They take up conversations about favorite cartoons, characters, or ice cream. Videos start playing recognizable images before any procedures. Talk precedes walk.

“Children do not cooperate because they are told, but because children feel safe."Dr. Premila Naidu highlights her mantra.

3. Training People, Not Just Dentists

It only works with pediatric dentists, but they put the same emphasis on the front office staff and dental assistants. They train all staff members in child psychology, communication, and empathy, not just efficiency.

After many years of refining its systems, Small Bites opened its second centre at Bharatiya City, Bangalore, in 2022. This marked a turning point-from a founder-led practice to a scalable organisation.

Presently, Small Bites runs five clinics across Bangalore, with two more scheduled next year. 

Under an expanded model that includes partnerships with pediatric hospitals, general dentists, and standalone clinics, the care has become more accessible where families already are.

Another USP of Small Bites is that all its clinics are: 

• inclusive for neurodiverse children 

• have accessibility systems 

• a strong support system to help parents not only with treatment but also preventive care

Also Read: “We make exclusive high-street fashion you won’t find anywhere else,” say young startup founders of Farda, a brand clocking Rs 10L/month

A Look At The Growth 

Dr. Premila Naidu continues clinical practice two to three days a week, while a trained leadership and clinical team manages daily operations across centres.

In the past few years, Small Bites has recorded exceptional growth:

• 45,000+ children treated
• 20% year on year growth
• 15-20% profit margins
• New clinics are breaking even faster than earlier centres

Importantly, recent expansions have achieved profitability within their first year. Eventually, this success and the massive adoption of the idea of pediatric dentistry made Dr. Premila Naidu venture even further. 

She concepeptualised the idea of Small Bites into a proper, functioning Private Limited company under an umbrella brand called: Dr. Tooth Little with the sole purpose of making kids' dentistry fun.

They now collaborate with various hospitals, schools, and other dental clinics. 

Future Plans

The vision forward is clear. 

• The immediate goal is to reach 10 centres across Bangalore, 

• Followed by expansion into other metros and Tier-2 cities over the next few years.

The long-term mission goes beyond geography. It is about changing how India perceives children’s oral healthcare, moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

Dr. Premila Naidu reflects on her long-term vision with Startup Pedia:“Children shouldn’t grow up fearing dentists. If we can make the experience right early, we change outcomes for life.”

Also Read: Meet Harish Ashok, the 17-YO Chennai entrepreneur, whose voice-based assistant makes Hardware development as easy as Software