What children's dental care involves and who it suits
Baby (primary) teeth help a child chew, speak clearly and hold space for the adult teeth that come later. When decay is left alone, it can cause pain and infection and can affect the permanent teeth underneath. Children's dental care is mostly prevention, plus treatment when a problem is found. Whether a treatment suits your child is decided only after an examination.
### The first visit Mainstream guidance, including the NHS and major dental societies, suggests taking a child to the dentist once the first teeth appear, usually by the first birthday. Early visits are short. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, looks for early decay and gives advice on brushing, diet and fluoride toothpaste for the child's age.
### Fluoride and fissure sealants - Fluoride application: the dentist paints a fluoride varnish or gel on the teeth to help strengthen enamel against decay. How often it is needed depends on the child's decay risk. - Fissure sealants: a thin protective coating placed on the grooves of the back teeth, often the permanent molars soon after they come through. Food and bacteria tend to collect in these grooves. Sealants are painted on without drilling and are checked at later visits.
### Treating and crowning baby teeth Small cavities can often be filled. When decay is wide, spreads across more than one surface or reaches the nerve, the tooth may need pulp treatment followed by a crown that covers it until it falls out naturally. - Zirconia crowns are white, prefabricated crowns that come in a range of sizes. They are usually fitted in the same appointment, with no laboratory stage. - Metal crowns are prefabricated crowns that are also used to cover badly damaged baby teeth.
A permanent tooth with nerve damage in a child may need root canal treatment. Some children cannot cope with treatment while awake, for example because of their age, anxiety, special needs or a large amount of work. For them, treatment under general anaesthesia may be discussed.
### Early orthodontics and tongue-tie An orthodontic check during childhood can spot crowding, crossbites or habits that affect how the jaws develop. Some problems are best watched, and others are treated early. A tight tongue-tie (frenulum) that affects feeding or movement may be released with a small procedure called a frenotomy, after assessment.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a check if your child has: - White chalky spots, brown or black areas, or holes in the teeth - Toothache, sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold food, or refusal to chew on one side - Bleeding or swollen gums, or a small pimple-like bump on the gum - A chipped or darkened tooth after a fall - Teeth that are very crowded, a bite that looks off, or long-term thumb sucking - Difficulty feeding or moving the tongue
Seek urgent care straight away if there is facial swelling that is spreading, swelling near the eye or under the jaw, difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever, or a serious mouth injury. In Jordan, call 911 in an emergency. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown (not the root) and get dental help immediately. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
A typical course of treatment looks like this: 1. Examination and history: the dentist checks the teeth, gums and bite, and takes X-rays if needed. You discuss options and a plan. 2. Prevention: cleaning, fluoride and sealants where suitable, plus home-care advice. 3. Treatment, if needed: for a crown on a baby tooth, the platform's general catalogue describes these stages: - Choosing the crown type - Local anaesthesia and isolation - Removing the decay, with pulp treatment if needed - Shaping the tooth and trying the crown - Cementing the crown and checking the bite 4. Follow-up: regular reviews to check fillings, crowns and sealants and to watch new teeth coming through.
As general information, one crown often takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It takes longer if pulp treatment is done at the same visit. Your child's dentist will give the actual plan.
### Preparing your child for the visit - Use simple, calm words. Avoid frightening phrases such as 'it won't hurt' or 'needle'. - Book at a time when your child is usually rested and fed. - Bring a favourite toy, and stay relaxed yourself. Children pick up on a parent's worry. - Tell the dentist about medical conditions, medicines, allergies and any past bad experiences.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Amman
According to its record, Arafat Dental Clinics in Tabarbour, Amman, was established in 2022 and is verified by the platform. The clinic publishes 120 services in total. For children, its record lists: - Zirconia dental crowns for children - Metal dental crowns for children - Root canal treatment of permanent teeth in children - Fissure sealant for children - Dental fluoride application - Orthodontics for children - Frenotomy (tongue-tie treatment) - Dental treatment of children under general anaesthesia
The clinic describes its work as preventive, restorative and cosmetic care. It states that treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs. The team named in its description includes Dr Mohammad Arafat Hasan and Dr Alaa Fayez Hasan.
Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan is a dentist with 15 years of listed experience. He holds a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University, and his record lists practice in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Among the services he provides are children's dentistry, prevention, orthodontics, dental emergencies and dental care for people with special needs. He speaks Arabic and English.
On the platform, the clinic has 2 approved reviews and the doctor has 3, all with an average rating of 5. That is a small number of reviews. If you are judging a children's dentist in Amman, also consider how clearly the plan and options are explained to you and your child.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- What exactly did the examination find, and which teeth need treatment first?
- Can this tooth be filled, or does it need pulp treatment and a crown? Why?
- Zirconia or metal crown: what are the pros and cons for this tooth?
- Is general anaesthesia really needed, and where and how would it be done?
- Are sealants or fluoride recommended for my child's risk level, and how often?
- Is an early orthodontic problem present, or should we wait and review?
- How many visits are expected, and what does the cost include? The cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
After local anaesthesia, watch your child so they do not bite their numb lip or cheek, and offer soft food once the feeling returns. Mild soreness can happen. Ask the dentist which pain relief suits your child's age and weight. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, help younger children brush, and limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals.
Crowns and sealants need checking at regular visits, and sealants sometimes need topping up. Treatment protects teeth, but it does not stop new decay if diet and brushing do not change. Results vary from child to child.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
The clinic's address as recorded is Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين ، مجمع التميمي ط1), Tabarbour, Amman. It sees patients from across Amman.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed in the confirmed hours. The doctor's record lists the first consultation as free. Use the contact button on this page to book and to confirm the timing for your child's appointment.