Dr. Rafif Tayara is a leading pediatric dentist, Sleep Dental Medicine qualified from Tufts University, a top Invisalign Provider based in Dubai and Netherlands, and founder of JuniorDental.
Voted “Best Pediatric Dentist 2025”, she’s 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.
Her practice blends modern pediatric dentistry, early orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy to address the root causes of dental and airway issues in growing children, and revolves around a multi-disciplinary team of ENT doctors, speech and feeding therapists, sleep surgeons and physiotherapists. She is also highly skilled in treating and managing special needs children and has played a significant role in raising oral health awareness in the Middle East and GCC region through various media channels, conferences and
She is also the author of the children’s book “Danny and Sarah Go to Dr. Smile,” which helps children overcome dental anxiety through an engaging and reassuring story — reflecting her commitment to making dental care a positive, empowering experience.
A proud mum of three, Dr. Tayara combines her professional expertise with a deeply personal understanding of what families need — creating an environment where every child feels safe, understood, and cared for. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help children breathe, grow, and smile better for life.
Facial growth in children is influenced by far more than genetics and teeth alone. Breathing patterns, sleep quality, posture, and oral function play a critical role in shaping craniofacial development and overall health. As frontline providers in early childhood, pediatric dentists are uniquely positioned to recognize early signs of altered growth and intervene at the right time.
This lecture will explore the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing, altered oral habits, and abnormal craniofacial development. Through real clinical cases, participants will learn how early signs such as mouth breathing, narrow palates, malocclusion, and behavioral concerns may reflect underlying functional and sleep-related issues.
Current research will be reviewed to support evidence-based strategies for early intervention, prevention, and growth guidance. Practical approaches to screening, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration will be discussed, with a focus on interceptive orthodontics, myofunctional considerations, and long-term developmental outcomes.
By moving beyond a tooth-centered model, this session aims to empower pediatric dentists to play an active role in guiding healthy facial growth — improving not only smiles, but sleep, function, and quality of life for the growing child.
