What children's dental care involves and who it suits
Children's dentistry looks after teeth from the first baby tooth through the mixed stage, when baby and permanent teeth sit side by side, into the early teens. It covers four main areas.
- Check-ups and prevention. Examinations, advice on brushing and diet, professionally applied fluoride, and fissure sealants. A sealant is a thin protective coating painted into the grooves of the back teeth, where decay often starts.
- Treating decayed baby teeth. This can mean fillings, pulp treatment (the child's version of nerve treatment) or a crown that covers the whole tooth. Baby teeth matter. They help a child chew and speak, and they hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath.
- Crowns for baby teeth. A prefabricated crown covers a tooth that is too damaged for a filling to hold, or one that has had pulp treatment. Metal crowns are durable and long established. Zirconia crowns are tooth-coloured, which matters most for visible teeth. Zirconia crowns cannot be bent to fit, so the tooth needs a little more preparation. Ask the dentist which type suits your child's tooth.
- Early orthodontic assessment. Many orthodontic organisations suggest a first orthodontic check by around age 7. Problems with the bite, jaw growth or crowding can be spotted early. Not every child needs early treatment.
Mainstream guidance (ADA, AAPD) recommends a first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday. After that, children should have regular check-ups at intervals the dentist sets according to their risk of decay.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Book a check if you notice:
- white chalky patches, brown spots or holes on the teeth
- toothache, or pain when eating sweet, hot or cold food
- your child avoiding chewing on one side
- bleeding gums or persistent bad breath
- a chipped or darkened tooth after a fall
- crowding, a crossbite, protruding front teeth, or thumb-sucking that continues past the early years
- a baby tooth that is very loose too early, or a permanent tooth coming in behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out
- a tongue that seems restricted, if it affects feeding or speech
Get help urgently if there is facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, high fever with dental pain, or swelling that is closing an eye. In these cases go to an emergency department or call 911 in Jordan.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, not the root, and rinse it briefly if it is dirty. Put it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and see a dentist straight away. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
1. Examination and history. The dentist asks about the child's health, diet and brushing. X-rays are taken only when they are needed. 2. Prevention plan. This may include fluoride application and sealants on newly erupted permanent molars. The first molars usually come in around age 6 and the second molars around age 12. Sealing is quick: the tooth is cleaned and dried, then the coating is applied and set. 3. Treatment, if needed. For a crown on a baby tooth, the platform's general catalogue describes these steps: - assessment and choosing the crown type - local anaesthesia and isolation of the tooth - removing decay, with pulp treatment if needed - preparing the tooth and trying the crown - cementing the crown, checking the bite, and follow-up
The catalogue gives around 30–45 minutes for one tooth as a general guide. It takes longer if pulp treatment is done at the same visit. 4. General anaesthesia, for some children. Children who cannot cope with treatment in the chair, or who need extensive work, may be treated under general anaesthesia. Parents should get the details of where and how this is done. 5. Follow-up. Regular recalls check the crowns and fillings, the sealants and how the teeth are coming in.
Preparing your child for the visit
- Talk about the visit simply and positively. Avoid words like "hurt" or "needle".
- Choose a time when your child is rested and fed, not close to a nap.
- Read a picture book or play "dentist" at home, counting teeth with a toothbrush.
- Bring a comfort toy, and stay calm yourself. Children pick up on a parent's anxiety.
- Do not use the dentist as a threat or a punishment.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
The following comes from the clinic's and dentist's records on ClinicsJo only:
- Clinic. Arafat Dental Clinics, established in 2022 and verified by the platform. It describes preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental care. The record lists 120 published services.
- Children's services listed:
- zirconia crowns for children
- metal crowns for children
- root canal treatment of permanent teeth in children
- fissure sealants for children
- fluoride application
- orthodontics for children
- frenotomy (tongue-tie treatment)
- dental treatment of children under general anaesthesia
- Dentist. Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan, verified by the platform, with 15 years of experience recorded.
- He holds a bachelor's degree in oral and dental medicine and surgery from Damascus University.
- His other recorded courses are the Advanced Implantology Course (ICOI, 2018), the Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification (Align Technology Academy, 2020) and Microscope-Assisted Endodontics (Jordanian Academy of Dentistry, 2022).
- His record lists children's teeth, prevention, orthodontics, dental emergencies and dentistry for people with special needs among the services he provides. It lists children's dental problems among the conditions he treats.
- He speaks Arabic and English.
- Reviews. The platform shows 2 approved reviews for the clinic and 3 for the dentist, each averaging 5. That is a small sample, so judge it alongside your own consultation.
- Approach. The record states that treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and the patient's needs.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Which teeth need treatment now, and which can be monitored?
- Do you recommend a zirconia or a metal crown for this tooth, and why?
- Does the tooth need pulp treatment, and what happens if we wait?
- Which teeth should be sealed, and how often will you check the sealants?
- How often should my child have fluoride applied?
- If you suggest general anaesthesia, where is it done, who gives it, and what preparation is needed?
- Is an early orthodontic assessment useful at my child's age?
- What will the full plan cost? The cost depends on the examination and the plan, so ask before starting.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- After local anaesthesia, watch that your child does not bite their numb lip or cheek until the feeling returns.
- Gums around a new crown may be a little sore for a few days. Keep brushing gently around it.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Use a smear for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount from age 3. Help with brushing until your child can do it well.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals, and avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
- Sealants and crowns lower the risk of problems, but they do not replace brushing. Sealants can wear and may need repair.
- Crowned baby teeth still fall out naturally when the permanent tooth is ready.
Outcomes vary with each child, their cooperation and their home care. Contact the clinic if a crown or sealant comes loose, or if pain or swelling appears.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman: Al Tamimi Complex, first floor, Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين، مجمع التميمي ط1).
The confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed, so check before planning a visit.
The record lists the first consultation with Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan as free. Use the contact button on this page to book, and mention your child's age and any pain or swelling when you call. If you want a children's dentist in Tabarbour who discusses options after an examination, bring your questions from the list above.