Dentistry planned around the whole person
Dr. Rifat cares for older adults, anxious and fearful patients, children and adults with special needs, and whole families. Every plan starts with the person: their health, medicines, fears and what matters most to them. Then she recommends only what they truly need.
How Dr. Rifat works
Whatever brings you in, the same four habits shape every appointment. They come from 29 years in dentistry, a Master’s in caring for older and medically complex patients, and a belief that dentistry is about doing what is right, not doing more.
- Time before treatment
- She listens and explains before she begins, and nothing starts until the patient feels ready. Longer treatment can be split into shorter visits.
- Only what you need
- The least treatment that will truly help. She saves natural teeth wherever she can, and treats the cause rather than just the symptom.
- The whole person
- Medical reports, medicines, sensory needs and fears all shape the plan. She speaks with your doctors when needed.
- Families included
- A parent, son, daughter or carer is welcome in the room, and leaves with simple advice for daily mouth care at home.
Dental care for older adults
Unhurried, expert dental care for people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, planned around health conditions, medicines and mobility.
MSc in Geriatric Dentistry, University of Southern California. Fellow of Geriatric Dentistry, 2026.
Who it helps
- Loose, sore or broken teeth
- Dentures that hurt, slip or no longer fit
- Dry mouth caused by medicines
- Gum disease and bleeding gums
- Difficulty chewing or eating well
- Taking several medicines, including blood thinners
- Diabetes, heart conditions or high blood pressure
- Memory problems or early dementia
What to expect
- We listen firstDr. Rifat asks about health, medicines and daily life before she looks at the teeth. A family member or carer is welcome to join.
- A gentle, thorough check-upShe examines the teeth, gums, mouth and any dentures, and explains what she finds in plain words.
- A plan that fits the personTreatment is planned around health, energy levels and what matters most to the patient, such as eating comfortably or smiling with confidence.
- Short, comfortable visitsWhere possible, care is split into shorter appointments with breaks, so nobody feels rushed or tired.
“I am 70 years old and a heart patient, so my family was worried. Dr. Rifat carefully checked all my medical reports and medicines first. For almost a year I could not chew properly. Today I can chew and enjoy the food I like again.”
Special care dentistry
Dental care for children and adults with autism, Down syndrome, disability or complex medical needs, planned with patience, extra time and close teamwork with families.
UAE Country Ambassador, Federation of Special Care Dentistry. Member, International Association for Disability and Oral Health.
Who it helps
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- ADHD
- Cerebral palsy
- Learning disability
- Sensitivity to noise, light or touch
- Physical disability and limited mobility
- Limited mouth opening
- Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease and after a stroke
- Diabetes, heart conditions and blood thinners
- Cancer treatment and palliative care
What to expect
- Talk to us before you bookTell us about the patient's needs, routines and what helps them feel calm. We will plan the right appointment time, length and support.
- At the patient's paceDr. Rifat explains each step in a way the patient can follow, goes at their pace, and stops whenever a break is needed.
- Working with families and doctorsWith permission, she speaks with the patient's doctors and carers so dental care fits safely with medical care.
- Simple advice for homeYou leave with clear, practical guidance on daily mouth care that fits the patient's abilities.
“Over the years, several dentists refused to treat me, and some only wanted to extract my teeth. Dr. Rifat was treating a patient who felt broken, both psychologically and dentally. She took the time to put me at ease and worked around my limitations rather than reject me because of them. She completed root canal treatment on two teeth that other dentists had wanted to extract. After many years, I can even eat an apple again.”
Care for anxious and fearful patients
For adults and children who feel nervous, panicky or frightened about the dentist. Nothing begins until you feel ready, and you can stop at any time.
Known to families and paediatricians for her patience with anxious adults and nervous children.
Who it helps
- Fear or anxiety about dental visits
- Panic attacks
- Fear of needles or injections
- Bad experiences at the dentist in the past
- Embarrassment after a long break from the dentist
- Strong gag reflex
- Sensitivity to noise, light or touch
- Children who are nervous or unsettled
What to expect
- No surprisesDr. Rifat explains what she will do before she does it, and you can ask her to pause or stop at any time.
- Your pace, not oursNothing begins until you feel ready. If you need a breath or a break, you get one.
- Small stepsLarger treatment can be split into short, manageable visits.
“Dr. Rifat treated me as a dignified human being. She said, 'Suman, you don't have any limitations.' I had anxiety with several dentists, yet you will see me smiling and laughing at her practice.”
General and restorative dentistry
Check-ups, fillings, root canals, gum care, dentures, implants and emergencies. Only the treatment you need, with natural teeth saved wherever possible.
29 years in dentistry, including as Head of the Dental Department at Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah.
Treatments
- Check-ups and cleaning
- Fillings and tooth repairs
- Root canal treatment
- Gum disease treatment
- Crowns and bridges
- Dentures (full and partial)
- Replacing missing teeth, including implants
- Extractions when needed
- Dental emergencies and toothache
What to expect
- Clear explanationDr. Rifat explains your options, including the cost and time each one takes, so you can decide with confidence.
- Only what you needNo more treatment than the problem calls for, and a straight answer when something can wait.
- Saving teeth firstWherever it is safe and sensible, she repairs and protects your natural teeth.
- Long-term careYou leave with a simple plan to keep your mouth healthy between visits.
“Dr. Rifat did an excellent job saving my tooth, which would otherwise have needed to be pulled out. More than a year later, everything is still perfect.”
Treatments available
Full general dentistry under one roof, with the extra time and planning that older, anxious and medically complex patients need.
Prevention
- Check-ups and cleaning
- Gum disease treatment
- Mouth-care advice for patients and carers
Saving teeth
- Fillings and tooth repairs
- Root canal treatment
- Crowns and bridges
- Repairing worn or broken teeth
Replacing teeth
- Full and partial dentures
- Denture repairs, and dentures that rub or slip
- Implants to replace missing teeth
Comfort and urgent care
- Toothache and dental emergencies
- Extractions when needed
- Dry mouth caused by medicines
- Comfort-focused care in palliative care
Health conditions she plans around
If you, your child or your parent lives with any of these, Dr. Rifat will plan dental care around it, at a pace that works. Bring a list of medicines to the first visit.
Memory and movement
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Memory problems
- Parkinson’s disease
- After a stroke
Heart, blood and sugar
- Heart conditions
- Blood thinners
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Medicines and treatment
- Taking several medicines
- Dry mouth caused by medicines
- Cancer treatment
- Palliative care
Special needs and disability
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- ADHD
- Cerebral palsy
- Learning disability
- Physical disability and limited mobility
Fear and anxiety
- Fear of the dentist
- Panic attacks
- Bad past experiences
- Strong gag reflex
- Nervous children
Caring for a parent or a child?
You are welcome in the room. Dr. Rifat explains the plan to both of you, and her short caregiver guides cover the first visit, brushing someone else’s teeth, dentures, dry mouth and dementia.
Have a question first?
Can she see my autistic child? Is my parent too old for treatment? Will I be pushed into treatment I don’t need? Answers to these and more are on one page.
Ready to talk to Dr. Rifat?
Message her directly on WhatsApp. She replies personally.