A pediatric dentist is a dentist with additional specialist training in the teeth, growth and behaviour of children, from babies to teenagers. A family dentist treats all ages. For a healthy, calm child needing a routine check-up, either can be right. For a young, anxious or medically complex child, or one who needs more than a filling, a pediatric dentist is usually the better fit.

What is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist, also called a paediatric dentist or pedodontist, completes dental school and then typically two to three years of further specialist training in children’s dentistry. The training covers how baby and adult teeth develop, how to guide a child’s behaviour in the chair, how to treat children with medical or developmental needs, and how to give sedation safely.

In Dubai, dentists are licensed by category, including specialist status. Before you book, you can check a dentist’s licence and specialty on the public register of the licensing authority, which is the Dubai Health Authority or the Dubai Healthcare City Authority, depending on where the clinic is located.

What does a pediatric dentist do differently?

Pediatric dentists work differently from family dentists in five practical ways:

Behaviour guidance.
They use the tell-show-do method, distraction and positive reinforcement, and they pace the visit to the child instead of the clock.
Child-sized care.
Smaller instruments, child-friendly rooms and a different way of talking, all designed so children feel in control.
Baby teeth.
They are trained in treating baby-tooth decay, including pulp treatment and white crowns, and in deciding when a baby tooth should be kept, not removed.
Growth and bite.
They watch how the jaws and teeth develop, and can spot problems early, such as a crossbite or a habit like thumb-sucking that is shifting the teeth.
Sedation and special needs.
Many are trained to give laughing gas and to plan treatment under general anaesthesia, and to adapt care for children with autism, sensory needs or medical conditions.

When is a family dentist enough?

A family dentist is often a reasonable choice when:

  • your child is older, calm and cooperative
  • the visit is a routine check-up and clean
  • there is no known decay, dental injury or developmental need
  • you want the whole family seen in one place

Many family dentists see children well. The point is not that one type of dentist is good and the other poor, but that some children need a different approach.

When does a pediatric dentist help most?

Consider a pediatric dentist if your child:

  • is under three, or has had little experience with the dentist
  • is anxious, has had a bad experience, or needs distraction and a gradual approach
  • has autism, ADHD, sensory sensitivities or another additional need
  • has a medical condition, such as a heart condition, a bleeding disorder or severe allergies
  • has early decay, a toothache, a knocked-out tooth or several teeth needing treatment
  • may need laughing gas or general anaesthesia
  • needs a plan that spans pediatrics, dentistry and orthodontics

When should my child first see a dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (see AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits are short, with nothing to fix, and let your child meet the dentist and the chair. They also let you ask about brushing, fluoride, feeding habits and teething. Our guide to your child’s first dental visit explains what happens.

How do I choose a pediatric dentist in Dubai?

Ask these questions when you compare clinics:

  1. Is the dentist a specialist, and is the licence and specialty visible on the regulator’s register?
  2. How do they handle a child who is afraid? Listen for patience, explanation and a gradual approach, and be cautious of anyone who says they simply restrain children.
  3. Is sedation available, and where is general anaesthesia carried out? Ask who gives the anaesthetic.
  4. Do they have experience with your child’s needs, such as autism, a medical condition or a previous bad experience?
  5. How do they communicate with you? A good dentist explains the findings, the options and the next step before treating, and lets you ask questions.
  6. What about insurance? Ask whether the clinic bills your insurer directly and checks your cover before the visit.
  7. Is care joined up? A clinic with pediatricians and an orthodontist in the same place makes referrals simpler.

Avoid choosing by claims alone. Health advertising rules in Dubai restrict superlatives because they cannot be proven, so look for specific information about training, approach and what the first visit involves instead.

What do most children’s dental problems have in common?

Most dental problems in children start small and are easier to treat early. Decay in baby teeth, an early bite problem or a habit such as thumb-sucking is simpler to manage at a first visit than after a toothache. That is a good reason to establish a regular check-up, usually every six months unless your dentist suggests otherwise.

When to see a pediatric dentist

Book a visit with a pediatric dentist if your child has:

  • a toothache, swelling in the gum or face, or a fever with a sore tooth
  • white, brown or black spots on a tooth
  • a tooth that has been knocked, chipped or pushed out of place
  • bleeding gums that do not settle with brushing
  • trouble eating, or refusing to chew on one side
  • a habit such as thumb-sucking or dummy use past age four
  • an extreme fear of the dentist that has stopped them going

Go to an emergency department or call 998 if there is facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a head injury with a loose tooth. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, see our guide to dental trauma.

How we can help at myPediaclinic

Our pediatric dentistry team has four specialist pediatric dentists:

  • Dr. Mustafa Abdalla, Director of the Dental Department, holds an MSc in Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs and a Fellowship in Pediatric Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He cares for anxious children and children with special healthcare needs.
  • Dr. Shaima Buhamer treats children from birth to 14, with a focus on advanced dental care, anxious children and complex medical needs.
  • Dr. Sharifa AlHaj is trained in conscious sedation and provides laughing gas and general-anaesthesia dentistry.
  • Dr. Sara Atif Mustafa holds a diploma in child psychology and is certified in nitrous oxide conscious sedation.

Pediatricians and a specialist orthodontist work in the same clinic. We bill three insurers directly for dental care and check your cover with the insurer before the visit. Treatment that is not covered can be split into four payments with Tabby.

Frequently asked questions

Do pediatric dentists treat teenagers?

Yes. Pediatric dentists care for patients from infancy through the teenage years, and some continue until a young person is ready to move to an adult dentist. At our clinic, Dr. Shaima Buhamer treats children from birth to 14, and Dr. Mustafa Abdalla cares for children up to 18.

Is a pediatric dentist more expensive than a family dentist?

Fees vary between clinics and treatments, so we do not quote them here. Ask any clinic for a written plan before treatment starts, and check what your insurance covers. Early check-ups usually prevent the larger treatments that cost more.

Can a pediatric dentist treat my child’s braces needs?

A pediatric dentist watches your child’s bite and refers for orthodontic assessment when it is needed. At myPediaclinic, a specialist orthodontist is in the same clinic, so referral is simple. We usually advise a first orthodontic check around age 7.

Will my child need X-rays at the first visit?

Not usually. A first visit for a young child is mostly a visual check and a chat. X-rays are used only when the dentist needs to see something that cannot be seen by looking, such as decay between teeth, and only when the benefit outweighs the very small dose.

Is it too late to switch if my child already sees a family dentist?

No. You can move to a pediatric dentist at any age, and a family dentist can share your child’s records. If your child is anxious or needs more complex treatment, a pediatric dentist can help even after earlier visits did not go well.

To book, message us on WhatsApp at 052 218 1662 or call reception on 04 430 5926.