Hi, I am Dr. Rafif Tayara
Co-Founder of JuniorDental, President of The Pediatric Academy, author and international oral-health educator helping children feel safe, understood and confident in dental care.
DHA-licensed Specialist Pediatric Dentist · Co-Founder of JuniorDental · Author of “Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile”
“Outstanding— I just commented above about our daughter experience”
“Friendly, precise, good with kids”
“Excellent with children, makes them at ease for their overall visit.”
Dr. Rafif Tayara is a leading pediatric dentist, Sleep Dental Medicine specialist qualified from Tufts University, a top 1% Invisalign First Provider based in Dubai and Netherlands, and founder of JuniorDental and The Pediatric Academy.
Voted "Best Pediatric Dentist 2025", she is a frequent speaker and educator, sharing on topics such as interceptive orthodontics, airway development, and modern pediatric dentistry. She has practiced in both private clinics and hospital-based settings in North America, the Middle East, and GCC countries.
Specialist Pediatric Dentist
Read moreCo-Founder & Pediatric Dentist, JuniorDental
Read moreAuthor of "Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile"
Read morePresident, The Pediatric Academy
Visit60 reviews
Educational overviews, not treatment promises. Every child is assessed individually at JuniorDental.
Check-ups, brushing coaching, diet habits and fluoride use, aimed at keeping treatment small and rare.
Read aboutShort, predictable, unhurried appointments that let a child build trust at their own pace.
Read aboutMonitoring how teeth, jaws and the face develop, and knowing when to act and when to wait.
Read aboutNoticing mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep and oral habits, and involving the right specialists.
Read aboutAppointments planned around the individual child: pacing, environment, communication and preparation.
Read aboutDr. Rafif currently sees patients through JuniorDental in Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai. Appointment availability, clinical questions and treatment bookings are handled directly by the JuniorDental team.
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Short reviews from parents whose children have been seen by Dr. Rafif. These reflect real experiences shared by families at JuniorDental.
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Quick oral-health tips for parents and caregivers, shared by Dr. Rafif on YouTube.
Pediatric dental tip from Dr. Rafif Tayara
Children's dental care advice
Kids dentist tip in Dubai
A gentle picture book that lets children meet the dentist before they meet the dentist.
“Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile” follows two children through a first dental visit — the waiting room, the chair that moves, the little mirror, the counting of teeth. It gives young readers a script for something that is otherwise unknown.
Invite Dr. Rafif to host a live children’s book reading about oral healthcare at your school, nursery or community event.
A selection of the most useful pieces from the archive. Legacy articles are being re-reviewed before they are republished as current clinical guidance.
Academy
Dr. Rafif Tayara launches The Pediatric Academy in Dubai: a global education platform for pediatric healthcare professionals and families.
Personal
Dr. Rafif Tayara, pediatric dentist in Dubai known as Dr. Smile, shares her journey from Canada to leading children's dental care across the UAE — awards, culture and her children's book.
Nutrition
Sorry, parents — the number one cavity-causing food isn’t candy, it’s crackers. A Dubai pediatric dentist explains why starchy snacks cause cavities in school-aged kids, plus healthy snack alternatives.
Practical oral-health guidance for parents, straight from my practice. No spam.
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