Alba Dental, at a glance, looks more like a private gallery than a dental clinic. There are no antiseptic smells and no jarring overhead lights. Instead, sunlight spills over soft curved settees and books on design are stacked on one end. A pleasing scent lingers in the air and, somewhere overhead, light jazz is wafting unobtrusively.
Dr Kayla Teh’s reinvention of the dental experience in Malaysia is a welcome and decidedly less daunting one. That Alba Dental recently opened its doors in Pavilion Damansara Heights, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most coveted addresses, reflects the clinic’s premium positioning and ethos of being advanced and secure. In fact, getting to the clinic means going through the same security procedure as that of any occupant of Tower 9.
The rebrand to Alba Dental, too, marks more than a name change from the eponymously named Dr Kayla Dental Clinic. For Dr Teh, it is a shift in how dentistry can be practised—collaboratively and with one’s peace of mind at its core. “Dr Kayla Dental Clinic was more of a personal brand and there was only so much I could do on my own for my patients,” she shares. “I wondered how I could multiply that level of care to more patients, and I also wanted to help my colleagues who are all blessed with amazing skills—they need a platform and support in terms of resources.”
The new collaboration with the acclaimed Dental Boutique group in Australia, headed by Drs Reuben Sim and May Chan, provides a whole spectrum of opportunities and introduces a range of new treatments and experiences. Alba Dental also includes 13 treatment rooms, making it one of the largest dental single-location clinics in the country. “What we like about collaborating with Dental Boutique is the culture and openness,” Dr Teh says. “For many years, I felt dentistry was just transactional and clinical. It wasn’t dwelling so much on the human aspects of the field.”
Behind the scenes, collaboration fuels the clinic. Dr Teh has assembled a team of dentists and assistants who work as a single unit. Regular team reviews, shared case studies, and ongoing education are part of the rhythm. “Whatever they need, we will support them to do a better job for our patients. They no longer have to worry about the number of patients or marketing. We will help take care of that. It’s no longer just ‘me’, but ‘we’,” she says.
At Alba Dental, the notion of aesthetic dentistry expands beyond surface beauty. Cosmetic procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening, and clear aligners are in focus but never performed in isolation. “In the past few years, the Malaysian dental scene has been about general dentistry,” Dr Teh says. “We are doing something different with aesthetic dentistry. Rather than patients waiting to have a toothache before they come in, our patients come in because they want better dental health. We consult them on a more comprehensive treatment plan.”
This synergy of aesthetics and wellness is where Alba Dental sets itself apart. Each treatment plan begins with a consultation that’s part medical evaluation and part personal conversation. Digital scans and facial analysis may be indicative of what treatment should be performed, but what also matters is understanding a patient’s lifestyle, self-image, and even their vocal patterns.
“I really focus on quality,” Dr Teh says. “My team will tell you that I’m very particular about details. That’s what makes me a good dentist. Clinical expertise is another reason why we have collaborated with the Dental Boutique group,” she notes, referencing how technological leaps have made both treatment planning and patient comfort more precise. “If we combine our local clinical expertise with Dental Boutique’s, we can advance so much faster in a short space of time.”
Alba Dental’s use of advanced dental technology is comprehensive, something Dr Teh calls a “customised smile design”. Beyond aligners and veneers, the clinic relies on intraoral scanners, 3D X-ray imaging (CBCT), and AI and computer-aided smile design software to help with smile simulation. 3D scans allow her team to replicate final results before any physical work begins.
It’s a far cry from the guesswork of traditional methods, and it means patients can see their future smile before they commit to a single drill. “What dentists usually do is push the mirror close to your mouth,” Dr Teh says. “For us, we push the mirror outwards.” She gestures a wider perspective, keeping one’s total image in mind.
Malaysia’s growing demand for dental aesthetics is unmistakable, fueled by social media, rising disposable income, and a broader cultural shift toward self-care. More Malaysians are investing in their smiles and Alba Dental is primed for this movement, offering a standard of care and design that meets international benchmarks.
Yet, for all its equipment and expertise, what patients tend to remember most is how Alba Dental treats them. Comfort is seen as paramount and treated as a given. Every aspect of the experience is orchestrated to put patients at ease. Clients can even watch Netflix on TVs strategically placed overhead on the comfortable treatment chairs, a simple but effective distraction that makes time pass more easily.
Alba Dental’s comfort-first philosophy also extends to its approach to care. Appointments are never rushed and there is ample time for proper consultation. This slow dentistry approach, despite its high volume, is part of what gives Alba Dental its signature touch. “My clients have been with me from day one,” Dr Teh says. “When we focus on the human aspects of the business, it’s a game changer. In the past, we have had investors hoping to partner with us, but I held back because it’s important that we share the same vision. I may have a need for a piece of equipment that may not yield a high return, but would bring a good level of care to our patients. I needed a partner who would understand and say, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ Alba Dental is different because it’s founded by dentists and they shared my vision from the beginning.”
Dr Teh’s tailored approach seems to be working, and the cutting-edge tech is certainly a draw for patients. “We have patients flying in from Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and China,” she says, adding that part of the future plans for Alba Dental is to eventually position themselves in these markets as well. “I always take feedback from my clients and ask them how I’m able to make their experience here that much better. At the end of the day, you come back because of how we make you feel.”
