Q&A with Dr. Kristen Darville

By Astranique Bowe

Q&A with Dr. Kristen Darville A Legacy of Care, Vision & Entrepreneurship

With a career defined by skill, vision, and heart, Dr. Kristen Darville stands as a pioneer in pediatric dentistry in The Bahamas. Drawing on extensive training, experience, and a spirit of innovation, she has reimagined children’s dental care at home while shaping a practice built on excellence and trust. As Owner of My Frist Dentist and Managing Partner at Premier Dental Group, Dr. Darville sat down with Astranique Bowe for this Bahamas Invest exclusive.

Dr. Darville: For me, dentistry has always been about more than teeth. It’s about passion, discipline, and vision. I learned early on from my mother, who ran Rulea’s Beauty Supplies in downtown Nassau, that success means combining skill with strong business principles: hard work, customer care, and operational excellence. Those lessons anchor everything I do at my practice today.

Dr. Darville: Absolutely. Growing up in Nassau, I only went to the dentist for emergencies, and my first encounter left me terrified. But then I had a very different experience with a dentist who was compassionate, and it completely changed my perspective. That moment planted the dream: I wanted to be the kind of dentist who made children and their parents feel safe, cared for, and empowered.

Dr. Darville: When I was a child, there were no pediatric dentists in The Bahamas. Families didn’t have access to specialized care, and I knew how impactful that could be. Identifying that gap really awakened my business mind. True entrepreneurship is about meeting unaddressed needs, and I set out to create a service that would transform the dental experience for children and families here at home.

Dr. Darville: I started with a B.A. in Biology from Fisk University in 2002, then earned my DDS from Meharry Medical College in 2006. I went on to complete a hospital-based residency in pediatric dentistry at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2008, and by 2010 I was certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I stayed on at MetroHealth as an attending dentist and later became chairman and associate professor at Meharry. But even while teaching and mentoring, my heart was always with The Bahamas. I came home in 2013 determined to launch my dream practice, My First Dentist, which I had envisioned as a dental student.

Dr. Darville: I believe excellence is only sustained if everyone grows together. I invest in continuous professional development for my staff as much as for myself. The result has been extraordinary loyalty. Since opening My First Dentist, I have never had a team member resign. Many of them have been with me since day one. That kind of retention is rare, and it reflects the mutual respect, mentorship, and shared vision we’ve built together.

Question: How do you balance clinical care with business leadership?

Dr. Darville: Dentistry is my craft, but leadership is my responsibility. Every detail of My First Dentist is designed with children in mind, from the kid-friendly environment that eases fears to the preventive strategies we teach parents to foster lifelong habits. At the same time, I apply strong business principles to ensure we remain innovative, sustainable, and impactful. For me, blending craft and care is what creates real success.

Question: Looking back, what does coming home and building this practice mean to you?

Dr. Darville: It means everything. Choosing to return home wasn’t just about starting a business, it was about addressing the very gap I felt as a child. Bahamian families now have access to pediatric dentistry without leaving the country, and that has been transformative. I credit my journey to my mother’s entrepreneurship, my own childhood experiences, my academic training, and most of all, my love for children. Together, those influences shaped not just my career, but also my purpose. It is also about positively impacting the lives of those around me. My greatest joy comes from seeing my staff and their families thrive because of the opportunities I am able to provide for their growth and development.

Question: Finally, what message do you want your story to send to others?

Dr. Darville: That success is not built overnight. It comes from vision, resilience, optimism, and heart. If you stay committed to your purpose, keep learning, and build with both passion and discipline, you can leave a lasting impact. That’s what I hope to do for every child who sits in my chair and for my beloved country – The Bahamas.