Meet Cami The Tiger
Cami is a Tiger with a very special smile. Read about Cami’s adventures in Dr. Neda Kalantars book, Cami the Tiger’s Special Smile.
A story that begins in the Wild!
I was on a gorilla trek in Rwanda just after one of our Operation Smile programs, when I heard about a gorilla born with a cleft lip. That moment stayed with me!
As a pediatric dentist and an Operation Smile volunteer, I’ve seen how something as simple and powerful as oral health can affect how a child eats, speaks, smiles, and feels about themselves. As a pediatric dentist who loves animals and founded a safari-themed practice, this story felt like the perfect way to bring my passions together, caring for children, celebrating animals, bringing awareness to cleft lip, oral health, and the importance of kindness and inclusion.
What Is a Cleft Lip or Palate?
A cleft lip and/or cleft palate is a condition present at birth where a baby’s lip or the roof of the mouth doesn’t fully form. It happens very early in pregnancy when the tissues that shape the lip and palate don’t completely join. Cleft conditions are one of the most common birth differences, occurring in about 1 in 700 babies and nothing a parent did caused it.
Why Oral Health Matters
Children with cleft conditions may face feeding challenges, ear or hearing concerns, speech differences, and dental variations. Good oral health is especially important, helping to prevent cavities, support proper growth and alignment of teeth, and keep the mouth strong and healthy. With the right care, children with cleft lip and palate can grow, thrive, and smile with confidence.
Why Cami’s Special Smile Helps
Cleft lip and palate are treatable with a team approach, including plastic surgeons, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, speech therapists, and ENT specialists. Repairs usually begin within the first year of life, with ongoing support as the child grows.
However, in some developing countries, access to this surgery can be very limited, a sad reality that may not be widely known. Cami’s Special Smile and this book aim to celebrate these children, showing that their differences are part of what makes them strong, brave, and beautifully unique. 💛
Peek Inside Cami’s World
Meet Dr. Neda Kalantar
Affectionately known by her patients as Dr. Neda, Dr. Kalantar has dedicated her career to helping children build lifelong confidence and positive habits around oral health.
In 2006, she founded Pediatric Dentistry of Reston, creating a practice rooted in compassion, excellence, and fun. Her patient-centered approach has helped thousands of children feel comfortable, empowered, and excited about caring for their smiles.
Dr. Neda has received numerous honors recognizing her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service, including the Lillian Reynolds Award for outstanding achievement during her pediatric dental training. She is especially proud of her long-standing work with Operation Smile, having volunteered on more than 20 international missions. In 2022, she was honored to teach in Operation Smile’s inaugural Women in Medicine program in Malawi, Africa.
Laser-certified, Dr. Kalantar has advanced training in airway growth and development, pediatric sedation, cosmetic dentistry, and special needs care. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Virginia Dental Association, and she has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Pediatric Dentists in the DC region by Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine, Virginia Living, and other publications.
Outside the office, Dr. Neda continues her passion for service through local outreach, teaching, and speaking at conferences and events. She lives in the DC area with her husband, two teenage sons, and their dog Zeus. Her other passions include yoga, culinary adventures, global travel, and meaningful time with family and friends.
