Blog
Family values key for Swords dentist
Practice manager Christine Downey of our Swords dentist is delighted that the practice has been officially opened
The recently-refurbished Dental Care Ireland in Swords has been operating since July 2016, but in reality the practice itself has been a vital part of the community for 30 years, when it was run by Dr David Patton. Having been known around the bustling village as Patton’s, patients are now very keen to come in and take a look at the refurbished building.
“This is a very long-standing practice in the Swords area, so patients are really happy to see a lot of our team are unchanged from when Dr Patton ran it. The refurbishment makes a big difference too,” says Christine Downey, practice manager at Dental Care Ireland Swords.
Friendly and accommodating
“I’ve only been working here for just over a month, but the team is so friendly and accommodating that it feels like a lot longer than that!” she says.
This Swords dentist has a great mix of experience and professional know-how. “We have three dentists, an orthodontist and a hygienist. Most of our staff are female, but we have one male dentist, Dr Graham Maguire,” says Christine.
“Graham and our principal dentist, Dr Orla McGeary, offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Orla was actually a co-owner of the practice with Dr Patton before Dental Care Ireland came on board in 2016, so she has that valuable link with our older patients.
Making a difference
Specialist treatments are also available at this Swords dentist. “Dr Susie O’Connell is our orthodontist, which is getting really popular lately in our practice,” says Christine. “Some of our nurses have also been with us for 20 years at least; it really makes a difference.”
Christine is proud of the range of treatments that the practice offers. “We offer everything, really,” she says. “General dental treatments are of course the most popular things we do for people, and whitening would be the most popular cosmetic treatment.”
What difference has Dental Care Ireland made to the practice in Swords? “Obviously the refurbishment has created a buzz among our staff and patients, but it’s also been fantastic to have the support of the other practices around Ireland,” says Christine.
Quality is consistent
“People have heard of the Dental Care Ireland name, and it’s important that the practices look the same. That quality is consistent. We are in the process of getting signage finished for the exterior of the practice, which will also make a real difference.”
How important is patient service in the practice? “Our patients mean everything to us. We have promoted one of our nurses, Ann, to patient coordinator – her job is to look after the patient journey, every step of the way – from the treatment plan to costs and an explanation of the treatment itself,” she says.
Approach paying dividends
“This approach is really paying dividends: we have retained all our old patients after the rebranding and we’ve seen a huge amount of new patients come through the doors. We’re aiming to get a 10% rise in new patients per month; we’re already seeing an average of two new patients per day,” Christine says.
“We pride ourselves on looking after our patients: just recently we had a young girl in with us who needed to have extractions done. She was nervous about it and we recommended sedation in a hospital. But then she changed her mind and wanted Dr McGeary to perform the treatment in our practice with just a local anaesthetic because the trust was there,” Christine says.
Family-based practice
“We’re a family-based practice. We have had people coming here for generations and we’re now seeing their children come in to us. It’s all about stability and consistency: we have a lot of familiar faces here,” she says.
So, what’s it like to work in Swords? “Even though I’ve only been with this Swords dentist for a short spell, I’ve been working in the village for the last 13 years. It’s such a lovely place; the people here are really nice and friendly. Also, it’s a growing town with over 100,000 living here. It’s nice to have a sense of community as well as a bustling feel about the place,” she says.
“It’s such an aesthetically pleasing practice that we’re really excited about the future here in Swords,” says Christine. “We know that we’re going to grow even faster than we are at the moment. It’s very exciting for the whole team!”
The DCI Swords dentist is located in St. Brendan’s in Seatown West, Swords, Co Dublin. The practice is open on Mondays from 8am to 8pm, on Tuesdays from 8am to 7pm, and on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8am to 5pm. Get in touch with the team today to book an appointment. Call 01-8402971 or click the link above to book online
Back to school dental health: make sure you’re ready!
Back to school dental health can sometimes be overlooked but it is crucially important. Make sure your child’s teeth are kept healthy and strong by following these tips
Our long, hot summer is coming to an end, which means back to school time is approaching fast. There are plenty of boxes to tick to make sure your child is ready for the new term, and their back to school dental health is one of them!
It’s so important to make sure their teeth and oral hygiene is as good as it can be, which is why we are offering a free child’s dental examination with adult examinations for the month of August. But other than taking them to the dentist for their regular check-up, what can you do to make sure their dental health is excellent?
Mark your calendar
Firstly, it’s worthwhile to take a few minutes out of your day to plan dental visits in advance, so as not to interfere with your child’s school schedule. “It is a great idea to plan all orthodontic visits at the start of the school year to restrict interruption to teaching time, particularly in the case of students preparing for state examinations,” says Dr Paul O’Dwyer, Group Clinical Advisor at Dental Care Ireland.
Similarly, the start of the school year is a good time to update the family’s medical history, letting your dentist know of any allergies or recent hospital admissions.
Sports and dental health
Sports can impact hugely on back to school dental health. Approximately one third of adult dental injuries are linked to sports, and studies have shown that the chances of injury are almost twice as high when a mouthguard is not worn. As such, it is crucial that your child wears a mouthguard while playing contact sports such as rugby, soccer, Gaelic football, hurling or hockey.
There are three different types of mouthguard available on the market: stock mouthguards, which are inexpensive but can be cumbersome; boil and bite mouthguards; and custom-fit mouthguards. It is worth discussing your options with your dentist when you visit before the school year begins.
“A dentist can custom fit your child’s mouthguard to ensure that it is accurately adapted to the mouth and stays in place securely. As the child’s teeth develop and change, it is important to check each year that their mouthguard still fits,” says Paul.
Maintain good habits
The start of the school year is a great time to take a look at your daily schedule to ensure you’re fostering strong dental care habits. Make sure your child brushes their teeth regularly, flosses once a day after dinner, and changes their toothbrush every three months or after an illness.
“For younger children just starting school, parents will still need to provide assistance with brushing, whilst at the same time encouraging them to manage their own brushing routine,” says Paul.
This is also the right time to evaluate what goes in your child’s lunchbox – avoid fruit drinks, fizzy cans, chocolate and smoothies, and replace sugary snacks with vegetables, cheese or fruit.
Get younger children used to the dentist!
Younger children may still be getting used to the idea of visiting the dentist, so bringing them before school starts is a good plan so they have a decent bit of time to acclimatise to what can still be a strange environment for them. Dental practices are very bright and clean, and it’s important your child isn’t rushed in and out of the practice too quickly.
It is also worthwhile checking if your child’s school has a dentist on call, to ensure that someone is on hand quickly if an accident occurs. If you follow these tips, your child’s teeth will be in great shape!
Dental Care Ireland is offering a free child’s dental examination with adult examinations for the month of August. Get in touch with one of our practices around the country to enquire about back to school dental health and to book an appointment. Dental Care Ireland practices around the country open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours for more information. Terms and conditions apply to offer
Local dentist in Carlow a key part of the community
Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing an outstanding, community dental experience. If you need a dentist in Carlow, we can help
Our long-standing practice on Tullow Street in Carlow town has gone from strength to strength since a state-of-the-art renovation last year. Now, we are delighted to announce that the practice will be shortly taking on a new dentist and hygienist.
This July, dentist Roisin Phelan will be joining the Carlow practice, and will also be available for appointments in Tullamore. Furthermore, hygienist Claire McLoughlin is set to start in Carlow. Roisin and Claire will be valuable additions to our team, as we look to give our patients the very best experience.
Our Carlow practice is a vital part of the community, something that practice manager Sinead Dowling really values. “We’ve all been working here for a good amount of time, and we know all our patients on a first-name basis. There aren’t too many people we don’t recognise, to be honest. And that’s a great thing!” she says.
A key Dental Care Ireland strategy is to retain existing staff when we take over the management of a dental practice. Even though the practice in Carlow has been fully refurbished, the dental team have been operating in the town for nearly 30 years!
“We’re carrying on the same traditions in a whole new, modern practice,” says Sinead. “It looks like a new place but we’re still the same staff providing the same great service.”
The dentist in Carlow also has an orthodontic service led by Dr Angus Burns which caters for both adults and teenagers.
“In terms of a patient experience, we try to keep things light-hearted while staying professional,” says Sinead. “Some people can be nervous coming in to see us, so it always helps to greet people with a smile and try not to be too clinical. That really helps people to relax, as does the fact that we know them all to start with!”
There’s no doubt that Roisin and Claire will fit in seamlessly with the team in Carlow.
Here at Dental Care Ireland, we pride ourselves on offering a fantastic, professional service with a smile. Our practices are an established and trusted part of the local community, and benefit from the very best, state-of-the-art training methods. If you’re looking for a dentist in Carlow, you know where to find us.
If you want to book an appointment with a Dental Care Ireland dentist in Carlow, please get in touch with our team. The dentist is open from 9am to 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays; from 9am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays; from 9am to 5.40pm on Wednesdays and Fridays; and from 9am to 12.40pm on Saturdays
Dentist in Ashbourne providing a valuable service
Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing an outstanding, community dental experience. If you need a dentist in Ashbourne, we can help
Our state-of-the-art dentist in Ashbourne celebrated its first anniversary recently, and welcomed its 5,000th patient. It was a fantastic occasion for the practice, which has reinforced its position as a cornerstone of the community in the lovely Meath town.
Our practice in Ashbourne is made up of experienced, local dentists operating in a pristine environment, as a key Dental Care Ireland strategy is to retain existing staff when we take over the management of a dental practice. It’s so important for us that people recognise and trust our reliable staff members.
Audrey O’Brien, practice manager in Ashbourne, says that it’s an exciting time for the practice now that it has been open to the public for a sustained spell of time.
“The people are so brilliant here, and it’s a pleasure to come into work every day. I run the day-to-day management of the dentist in Ashbourne for Dental Care Ireland, making sure that patients and staff are where they need to be at all times,” she says.
“We’re a young group, and we’re all women!” says Audrey. “We have a hygienist, receptionist, two dentists, two nurses, and myself.”
The practice will also be starting a full orthodontic service in autumn 2018, led by specialist orthodontist Dr Ciara Ennis and catering for both adults and children.
The practice is a point of pride for the staff, which you can see in this virtual tour of the practice. It’s important that patients can have a look before they pop in to see the team.
Here at Dental Care Ireland, we pride ourselves on offering a fantastic, professional service with a smile. Our practices are an established and trusted part of the local community, and benefit from the very best, state-of-the-art training methods. If you’re looking for a dentist in Ashbourne, you know where to find us.
If you want to book an appointment with a Dental Care Ireland dentist in Ashbourne, please get in touch with our team. The dentist is open from 9am to 5.30pm on Mondays and Thursdays; from 9am to 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and from 8.30am to 5pm on Fridays.
Staff training day and BBQ a roaring success!
Dental Care Ireland’s annual training day and summer barbeque was a fantastic event, and was enjoyed by all our hard-working staff from around the country
On Saturday, 30th June, the sun was shining and spirits were high as Dental Care Ireland staff from around the country gathered for our annual training day and summer barbeque at Dublin’s Morrison Hotel. These events mean so much to us, as they give us an opportunity to review the year we’ve had, see how we can get even better for you – our patients – and of course have some fun with our colleagues and friends!
Working for patients
We were delighted to see over 120 staff members at the event, many of whom travelled long distances to be there. The focal point of the activities was a full-day training session, which was facilitated by the great team in Horton Consulting along with our Group Clinical Advisor Dr Paul O’Dwyer. This action-packed agenda set the tone for the day and was a fantastic way to understand how we could enhance each room in our practices for patients’ benefit.
From the patient lounge and dentist’s room, to the hygienist’s room and managers’ office, the training explored different ways to expand current systems and improve the overall patient experience.
Everything we do is done with the patient in mind – from the greeting you get when you arrive, to the general atmosphere in the practices and ensuring that all our equipment and fittings are of the very highest standard. Of course, all this is done in with the friendliest, professional attitude. As part of the programme, Dr Paul O’Dwyer also provided an overview for staff on the importance of honesty and decency in the workplace.
Award-winners honoured
The highlight of the training day came with our annual awards, where we can honour those who have really gone the extra mile to give our patients what they need. We were delighted to see Sinead Dowling of our Carlow practice win the Chairman’s Award, while Ann Crosby of the Swords practice took home the “Above and Beyond” award. The Practice of the Year award was hotly contested and eventually went to the outstanding team in Knocklyon.
The day wasn’t all about work, however, and we all enjoyed a well-deserved barbeque, outdoor games and a DJ in the lovely summer sunshine. It was a great way to celebrate a brilliant year for Dental Care Ireland! We have accomplished so much in the year gone by, and we’re looking forward to even bigger and better things for the rest of 2018 and beyond.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Colm Davitt, CEO, Dental Care Ireland, said: “At Dental Care Ireland, we believe that excellence in dentistry is achieved through outstanding patient care, professionalism, training and innovation. As the country’s fastest growing network of established dental practices, it is the quality of our people that sets us apart.”
The future is looking bright for Dental Care Ireland!
To book an appointment at any of the 13 Dental Care Ireland practices around the country, please see dentalcareireland.ie/practices
Dental Care Ireland Supports 2018 Trinity DOVE Programme
Dental Care Ireland is proud to support the 2018 Trinity DOVE Programme, Dental Overseas Voluntary Elective (DOVE) Programme at Trinity College Dublin.
The annual initiative, run by the School of Dental Science, will see 22 fourth year dental students travel overseas this summer to provide voluntary dental care in some of the world’s most impoverished locations.
This year’s destinations include Tanzania, Guatemala, Cambodia, Egypt, India and St. Vincent.
Speaking ahead of the 2018 trip, Emma Mulville, DOVE representative, said: “The Trinity DOVE Programme provides an opportunity for us to make a really positive contribution to the communities that we visit. It also allows us to broaden our experience and knowledge in a very different dental setting. Our committee has worked hard throughout the year to raise funds to make it possible, and it is wonderful to have the additional support of Dental Care Ireland.”
Colm Davitt, chief executive, Dental Care Ireland, commented: “Dental Care Ireland is delighted to support such a worthwhile initiative. The programme has potential to make a real impact on the oral health of those people who need it most. We wish the students every success as they embark on what will no doubt be a rewarding and life-long learning experience.”
Free consultations for braces in Dublin this summer
Dental Care Ireland is offering free consultations for braces in Dublin this summer. If you are interested, please get in touch with us
Orthodontics (or braces) has become extremely popular all over Ireland. In years gone by, people assumed that only children could really benefit from wearing braces, as their jaws are soft enough to be corrected by orthodontic treatments. But as technology has improved, so too has the popularity of braces among people of all ages.
With that in mind, we are delighted to announce that our practices in Knocklyon, Swords and Cabinteely are offering free consultations for braces in Dublin until August 31st if you are looking to get a professional opinion on this specialised treatment.
These days, there are different types of braces that you can get. These include Invisalign braces, which work to straighten teeth using a series of clear plastic aligners which are custom-made for the patient’s mouth; and ceramic braces which are clear and “tooth-coloured” so they blend in with your teeth.
Of course, traditional metal braces are still an option, and are still used by children and adolescents. However, from an aesthetic point of view, these would not be as effective as Invisalign or ceramic braces.
So, how do you know if you actually need orthodontics? A scientific paper from the January 2017 edition of The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dermofacial Orthopedics suggested that the perceived need for orthodontics versus the actual need for orthodontics was about equal. Simply put, this means that if you feel that you need orthodontics, then you probably do.
Dr Lian O’Dwyer, orthodontist with Dental Care Ireland Knocklyon, says: “There are plenty of options if you’re looking to get braces in Dublin. The best age for orthodontic treatment varies from patient to patient. A specialist orthodontist will be able to advise you on the appropriate time to start any treatment. However, as long as your teeth and gums are healthy there is no age limit to treatment.”
It is important to remember that there is also a functional reason to get braces – it’s not just because they look good! For example, many patients may find that food is constantly getting stuck in between teeth that are damaged or mis-shapen. This tricky situation can itself lead to gum disease. With that in mind, it’s easy to understand the popularity of braces in Dublin and around the country.
Braces are safe, reliable and very effective. If you are interested in getting a free consultation in our Swords, Knocklyon or Cabinteely practices, please contact our friendly team who can talk you through your options and what will work best for you after an initial consultation.
If you would like a free consultation for braces in Dublin, our practices in Cabinteely, Knocklyon and Swords can offer you the help you need. Dental Care Ireland practices open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours
PRSI dental entitlements: claim for cost savings
Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing a reliable, community dental experience. If you want to check whether you are due PRSI dental entitlements, get in touch with us
It can be expensive to take proper care of your health. Unfortunately, when all is said and done, some people forego dental care in a bid to save money, which invariably causes issues down the line in terms of their oral and dental health. But thankfully, help is at hand.
Last year, the government introduced the Treatment Benefit Scheme which could be claimed by all those who qualify under PRSI, including self-employed individuals. This includes small business owners, farmers, tradespeople, freelancers, contractors, and professionals. We are delighted that PRSI dental entitlements are part of that rollout.
Now, everyone who qualifies will be able to have an exam, scale and polish in any of our nationwide practices for just €15. This price applies no matter where you are in the country, and is a good step towards ensuring as many people as possible have good oral health.
A scale and polish is another way to describe a dental cleaning, whereby your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, leaving them clean and smooth.
Your examination covers the general health of your teeth, gums and mouth, whereby your dentist will be able to advise you on what you need to do (or need to keep doing) in order to make sure your oral and dental health is strong. These PRSI dental entitlements are great value, and will give you peace of mind when it comes to your mouth, teeth and gums.
Now there’s no need to suffer due to lack of funds. Reliable, efficient dental care is available at a seriously low price, so make sure you avail of it.
If you’re looking to book an appointment to claim PRSI dental entitlements, one of our practices around the country can offer you the help and care that you need. Dental Care Ireland practices around the country open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours for more information
Dentist jobs in Ireland: come and work with us
At Dental Care Ireland, we are offering a number of hygienist and dentist jobs in Ireland throughout our network of practices
It’s a good time to be a dentist in Ireland. With the government bringing in helpful entitlements for PRSI contributors and the self-employed, as well as a steady stream of informational articles and a sugar tax, awareness is up among the general public of the need to take care of their teeth and we are offering a number of dentist jobs in Ireland to reflect that demand.
Dedicated and reliable
At Dental Care Ireland, we’re on the lookout for dedicated, reliable dentists who can help grow our network and continue to provide the great service for which we’ve become known. As of June 2018, we have a network of 13 established general and specialist dental practices around Ireland and are committed to providing the highest standards of care to families across the country.
We use the latest technology and materials supported by scientific research, work in state-of-the-art practices and strive to maintain a local feel by retaining principals after rebranding existing practices.
Broadening our reach
Along with dentist jobs in Ireland, we are also looking for hygienists to join our team. Donna Paton, the President of the Irish Dental Hygienists’ Association, is the resident hygienist at our practice in Tullamore and says: “It’s an exciting time for Dental Care Ireland. We’re broadening our reach all the time, while keeping committed to doing a great job for people in their own communities. We want to keep an emphasis on dental health and hygiene, and we have a great platform on which we can achieve that goal.”
What is the strategy for Dental Care Ireland? Co-founders Kieran Davitt and his brother Colm, the Dental Care Ireland CEO, had some good insights they shared recently about the type of dentist jobs in Ireland on offer. “We look for clinics of a particular size, with three chairs or more. We want to work with the right people as the principal dentist generally stays on for up to five years. There really needs to be a personal fit to grow the practice.”
Easy transition
At Dental Care Ireland, the idea is to provide the best possible patient experience while also giving dentists a fantastic environment in which they can thrive. “We don’t want to turn places around 100%,” Colm says.
“We want as easy a transition as possible. We see potential in places that don’t have the time to market themselves, and where we can introduce a specialist. It’s even better if there’s two or three dentists in situ because it makes it easier. Dentist jobs in Ireland are in high demand, and our model reflects that.”
The network of Dental Care Ireland practices benefits from a solid investment strategy to ensure the environment is as modern and reliable as possible.
Investing in equipment
“We try and upgrade practices, investing in equipment. We price our treatments competitively – we want to give the best value to customers because they are demanding excellent treatment,” says Colm.
“DCI is a highly ethical company that wants to be high quality in everything we do. We don’t go for a low cost model with low quality. We offer a premium service – and a full range of those services.”
Stress is reduced
Stress is the enemy of all professionals, including dentists! At Dental Care Ireland, we eliminate that stress so dentists can do what they do best. “For dentists, administration is removed as we appoint a practice manager and support the growth of the practices. With that, stress is reduced as there isn’t as much full responsibility for everything,” says Colm. “Our dentists can get on with what they do best – looking after patients. It’s a great time to join our network!”
If you would like to know more about our hygienist and dentist jobs in Ireland, please feel free to contact us on careers@dentalcareireland.ie
Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Dublin?
Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing an outstanding, community dental experience. Our strong presence in the capital means you will never struggle to find an emergency dentist in Dublin
We all lead busy lives, and sometimes we can’t fit everything into a 9-5 schedule. That includes going to the dentist. We understand that issues can occur with your teeth at any time, and that’s why we can help with an emergency dentist in Dublin operating outside normal business hours.
The practice formerly known as Swords Dentist is our local dentist in Swords, and is conveniently located in St Brendan’s, Seatown West. The practice has been newly refurbished, and if you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Dublin, opens late on both Mondays (till 8pm) and Tuesdays (till 7pm), as well as opening early at 8am from Monday-Friday.
Our practice in Knocklyon, previously owned by Dr Vincent McDonagh, is conveniently located in Knocklyon Shopping Centre and is staffed with four dentists including orthodontist Dr Lian O’Dwyer.
Our Knocklyon practice is open early at 8am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and till 6pm on Tuesdays, till 6.30pm on Mondays, and till 7pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It is also open on Saturdays from 8.30am to 12pm.
Our next emergency dentist in Dublin is Dental Care Ireland Cabinteely, formerly known as Park Clinic Dental. Dental Care Ireland took over the running of this practice in June 2015.
Our Cabinteely practice is open late on Mondays and Fridays till 6pm, till 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and till 7.30pm on Thursdays. It is also open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
At Dental Care Ireland, we look after the community by keeping flexible hours. We know that it doesn’t always suit to go to the dentist from 9-5, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need us.
If you need an emergency dentist in Dublin, please get in touch with our team in Swords, Knocklyon or Cabinteely. Dental Care Ireland practices open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours
