A Career Shaped By A Natural Connection With Children

For Dr. Lama Dakkoury, pediatric dentistry was never simply a career choice. Her connection with children began years before she entered the dental profession.

Growing up in Jordan, Lama spent her summer breaks volunteering and working with orphaned children. Those early experiences gave her an understanding of children that went beyond ordinary interaction. She found it easy to connect with them, listen to them and make them feel comfortable.

That natural bond eventually became an important part of her professional identity.

When she chose dentistry, pediatric dentistry felt like a natural direction. What began as a personal connection with children gradually developed into a highly specialized career focused on helping young patients receive the care they need in an environment where they can feel safe and understood.

Today, Lama is a specialist pediatric and special care dentist practicing in the UAE, with experience across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Building Expertise Through International Training

Lama’s professional journey has been supported by extensive academic and clinical training.

After completing her dental education in Jordan, she continued her specialization in the United Kingdom. Her advanced education at University College London gave her a strong foundation in pediatric dentistry and special care dentistry, combining clinical practice with academic and research based learning.

Her training also extended to conscious sedation through King’s College London. This became particularly valuable in her work with children who experience significant dental anxiety or who require additional support during treatment.

Lama also became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, further strengthening her specialist credentials.

Her professional experience has included work across several countries and healthcare environments, giving her exposure to different approaches to pediatric and special care dentistry. Her current work in the UAE brings together those experiences with an approach that remains practical and centered on the individual child.

Making Dental Care Easier For Anxious Children

A visit to the dentist can be overwhelming for a child.

The sounds, unfamiliar surroundings and clinical environment can create fear even before treatment begins. For children with additional needs, the experience can sometimes be even more challenging.

This is where Lama believes pediatric dentistry needs to go beyond treating teeth.

Her approach focuses on understanding the child first. Depending on the individual situation, she uses different behavior management techniques to help children become more comfortable with dental care. For patients who need additional support, sedation or general anesthesia may be considered when clinically appropriate.

The objective is not simply to complete a dental procedure. It is to create a positive experience that can influence how a child feels about dentistry for years to come.

For Lama, one of the most rewarding moments in her career is seeing a child leave the clinic happy while their parents leave reassured. That simple outcome represents something much larger to her because it means trust has been built.

Looking Beyond Teeth And Into Overall Health

One of the most interesting developments in Lama’s professional journey is her growing interest in pediatric airway, breathing, oral function and myofunctional therapy.

This reflects a broader perspective on children’s health. Rather than looking at the teeth in isolation, Lama is interested in understanding how oral function can connect with other aspects of a child’s development and wellbeing.

Her focus on prevention is equally important.

For her, pediatric dentistry is not only about treating problems after they appear. It is also about helping families understand how to protect their children’s oral health and recognize concerns at an earlier stage.

This preventive mindset has become an important part of the direction she wants to take her career. She hopes to continue developing her knowledge in airway and oral function while maintaining a strong foundation in evidence based pediatric dental care.

Special Care Dentistry With A Human Approach

Working with children who have additional needs requires patience, flexibility and a willingness to understand each patient as an individual.

Lama’s background in special care dentistry has helped shape this part of her practice. Her experience allows her to work with patients who may require different communication strategies, additional preparation or specialized approaches to treatment.

Her philosophy is practical. Education and research are important, but they must ultimately translate into something that genuinely benefits the child.

That balance between scientific knowledge and human connection is one of the defining aspects of her work.

Her journey has also included involvement in professional education and knowledge sharing. Her academic background and experience have given her opportunities to contribute to the wider field of pediatric and special care dentistry, while continuing to learn from the evolving world of dental healthcare.

Success Measured By More Than Qualifications

Lama has achieved significant milestones at a relatively young age, but she does not define success only through degrees, professional titles or career accomplishments.

For her, the real reward comes from the people behind the profession.

A child who was once frightened becoming comfortable in the dental chair can be a bigger achievement than any certificate. A parent who arrives worried and leaves reassured can make a difficult day worthwhile.

This perspective has helped Lama maintain a sense of balance throughout her career.

She is proud of the education she has pursued, the countries she has worked in and the knowledge she has gained. At the same time, she values the life she has built outside her profession, including travel, relationships, personal growth and the experiences that have shaped her along the way.

For Lama, professional ambition and personal happiness do not have to exist separately.

Learning To Trust The Journey

Like every meaningful career, Lama’s path has not always followed a perfectly predictable route.

One of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of continuing to move forward, even when circumstances do not develop according to plan.

She believes setbacks can sometimes open doors to opportunities that were not visible at the beginning. That belief has allowed her to approach change with greater patience and optimism.

Her philosophy is simple. Keep going, keep learning and keep growing.

It is an attitude that applies not only to dentistry but also to life. Her journey demonstrates that success is rarely a straight line. It is often shaped by unexpected experiences, difficult decisions and moments that encourage a person to become stronger.

A Future Focused On Prevention And Better Care

Looking ahead, Lama wants to continue developing as a pediatric dentist while expanding her focus on prevention, airway health, breathing and oral function.

Her ambition is not to follow trends simply because they are new. She wants to understand the evidence, evaluate what is genuinely useful and bring meaningful approaches into her clinical work.

That mindset reflects the kind of professional she aims to be. Curious but practical. Highly trained but approachable. Focused on innovation while remaining grounded in the needs of the child.

Her future vision is therefore about comprehensive care that considers more than a dental complaint. She wants to contribute to better outcomes for children and families by looking at the bigger picture of oral health and quality of life.

Creating A Meaningful Life Through Dentistry

Behind Dr. Lama Dakkoury’s professional achievements is a personal philosophy that gives her journey its deeper meaning.

She believes success is not only about reaching professional milestones. It is also about enjoying the journey, appreciating the people who support you and remaining true to yourself.

From her early experiences with children in Jordan to advanced specialist training in London and her professional life in the UAE, every stage has added something to the person and dentist she has become.

Her story is ultimately about growth.

It is about discovering a natural connection with children and turning that connection into a profession. It is about continuing to learn while remaining focused on practical care. Most importantly, it is about making a difference in moments that may seem small but can stay with a child and family for a lifetime.

As Lama looks toward the next chapter, her goals continue to evolve, but her core purpose remains clear. To keep learning, keep growing and help children experience healthcare with greater confidence and comfort.

For a pediatric dentist, that may be one of the most meaningful definitions of success.

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