News
Our Christmas opening hours
Dental Care Ireland is committed to providing a reliable, community dental experience. Please see the Christmas opening hours for every dental practice below
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but you still may need a dentist over the festive season. Please see our Christmas opening hours below. From all of us here in Dental Care Ireland, have a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. We look forward to seeing you in 2018!
Ashbourne, Co Meath: Open until Friday, December 22nd and on Friday, December 29th from 10am to 12pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Ballsbridge (NIDM), Dublin 4: Open until Friday, December 22nd. Then closed until Tuesday, January 2nd.
Cabinteely, Co Dublin: Open until Friday, December 22nd and on Thursday, December 28th from 9am to 1pm, and Saturday, December 30th from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Callan, Co Kilkenny: Our Callan practice will provide an emergency clinic for patients from 8.45am to 11am over the Christmas period. This clinic will operate on a first-come, first-served basis and will be open on December 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th, and on January 2nd and 3rd. Normal hours resume on Thursday, January 4th.
Carlow: Open until 5.40pm on Friday, December 22nd. This practice will run an emergency clinic until lunch-time on Wednesday, December 27th and Friday, December 29th for which there will be no set appointments. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Castlebar, Co Mayo: Open until Friday, December 22nd. Then closed until Tuesday, January 2nd.
Greystones, Co Wicklow: Open until 12pm on Friday, December 22nd. Open on Wednesday, December 27th from 1pm to 5pm, and on Thursday and Friday, December 28th and 29th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Kells, Co Meath: Open until Friday, December 22nd. Open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 27th, 28th and 29th, from 9.30am to 5pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Knocklyon, Dublin 16: Open until Friday, December 22nd. Open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 28th, 29th and 30th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Navan, Co Meath: Open on Friday, December 22nd from 8.30am to 2.30pm, and on Saturday, December 23rd from 8.30am to 12pm. Open on Wednesday, December 27th from 8.30am to 12.30pm, andon Thursday and Friday, December 28th and 29th, from 9.30am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Tullamore, Co Offaly: Open until Friday, December 22nd. Open on Thursday and Friday, December 28th and 29th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Swords, Co Dublin: Open until Friday, December 22nd, with normal hours resuming on Tuesday, January 2nd. An emergency clinic will also operate on Thursday and Friday, December 28th and 29th, from 9am to 4pm. Please call 087-3623898, and leave a message. Dr Orla McGeary will contact you in relation to your emergency.
If you want to book an appointment with any Dental Care Ireland practice or find out more information, please click this link. Dental Care Ireland practices open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours
Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year Awards 2017
Congratulations and good luck to all of our dentists and practices who have been nominated for the 2017 Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year Awards.
Thanks to our loyal patients throughout the country, Dental Care Ireland received 13 nominations this year in total. Our practices in Callan, Tullamore, Greystones and Castlebar are all in the running for ‘Dental Team of the Year’, while nine of our dentists have been shortlisted for ‘Sensitive Dentist of the Year’.
The annual awards, supported by Sensodyne and the Irish Dental Association, highlight excellence in the Irish dental profession, through the eyes of the patient. From regular check-ups or toothaches to emergency treatments, dentists nationwide are nominated by their patients for going above and beyond normal patient care.
The overall winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony hosted by RTE’s Joe Duffy in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin on Saturday, 2nd December 2017.
Dental Care Ireland’s ‘Dental Team of The Year’ Nominees 2017:
Dental Care Ireland’s ‘Sensitive Dentist of The Year’ Nominees 2017:
- Dr Teresa Fitzgerald, Dental Care Ireland Castlebar
- Dr Maeibh McNamara, Dental Care Ireland Castlebar
- Dr Sally McCarthy, Dental Care Ireland Swords
- Dr Gerry Kilfeather, Dental Care Ireland Greystones
- Dr Gina Kilfeather, Dental Care Ireland Greystones
- Dr Jackie Clune, Callan Dental
- Dr Dympna Reynolds, Callan Dental
- Dr Jenny Huston, Callan Dental
- Dr Aoife O’Dwyer, Callan Dental
Teeth Whitening Offer – 20% Off
Dental Care Ireland’s Teeth Whitening Offer – gives an amazing 20% off until the 31st August in selected practices only.
If you are interested in improving the colour of your teeth and appearance of your smile, then ask your dentist about our teeth whitening offer. Teeth Whitening brightens the shade of your teeth so they appear brighter and whiter.
What happens in Teeth Whitening?
Firstly, the dentist will perform an examination to determine the suitability of your teeth for whitening. This will include a check-up and may include an X-ray.
Then the dentist will work with you to identify the shade of white you wish to achieve.
Impressions will then be taken of your teeth so that we can develop a bespoke whitening kit that suits you and which you can use yourself at home.
You will be invited back to the practice to pick up the kit and will receive advice as to how to use it.
Teeth whitening takes approximately 10 days to three weeks depending on the shade you have chosen.
Selected practices are as follows * Ashbourne, Carlow, Navan, Knocklyon, Swords, and Kells.
Refer a friend and you both get €20 off!
Refer a friend and you both get €20 off!
- If an existing Dental Care Ireland patient refers a friend to a Dental Care Ireland practice, the referred patient receives a €20 discount off their first visit and the referring/existing patient gets a €20 credit applied to their account at Dental Care Ireland.
- The existing patient must physically give the referred patient a Dental Care Ireland “Refer a Friend” card, with the existing patients name written on the card. The referred patient must present this card at their first visit to a Dental Care Ireland practice to avail of the discount.
- €20 credit is only applied to the existing patients chart once the referred friend actually attends the appointment at Dental Care Ireland.
- The referred patient must be a new patient to the Dental Care Ireland, not just to the practice referred to.
- Inter-practice use is permitted, i.e. existing patient in one particular DCI practice may refer a friend to any other DCI practice in the group
Ts & Cs
- €20 discount for referred patient applies to first visit only
- The referring patient must be an existing patient of Dental Care Ireland
- The referred patient must be a new patient to the Dental Care Ireland, not just to the practice referred to
- €20 credit for existing patients will only be applied once referred patient attends for their appointment at a Dental Care Ireland practice, upon presentation of the “Refer a Friend” card
- €20 credit is redeemable only against dental treatment at a Dental Care Ireland practice
- €20 credit is not transferable for cash and not available in conjunction with any other offer or promotion
- Incomplete Refer a Friend cards will not be accepted (must detail both existing patient name and referred patient name)
- Offer valid for 12 months from date on Refer a Friend card
- Not available at Northumberland Institute of Dental Medicine.
Do’s and Dont’s of Teeth Whitening
Thinking about whitening your teeth? Check out our do’s and dont’s of teeth whitening first:
1) Do – Visit your Dentist First
At Dental Care Ireland, we would always recommend that the first step in deciding whether or not to whiten your teeth should be taken in consultation with your dentist. Our whitening kits are tried and tested and proven not to cause any harm to your teeth. Your dentist will need to examine your teeth for any other underlying issues prior to whitening.
So, find a good dentist, preferably registered with the Irish Dental Association and make an appointment for a teeth whitening consultation.
At the consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and take x-rays to make sure the teeth are healthy and suitable for whitening. S/he will then take impressions of your teeth to make the teeth whitening trays for use with your home whitening kit.
2) Don’t – Whiten your teeth if you have an underlying reason for discolouration
On examination, your dentist might discover another source of the discolouration of your teeth other than the wear and tear of life. Conditions such as abscessed teeth, decay and plaque will not go away with whitening and need to be treated before you commence your whitening programme.
3) Do – take into account aesthetic considerations.
Not all teeth are suitable to be whitened. For example, whitening can accentuate a gummy smile or root exposure or perhaps your teeth are too sensitive or translucent. You and may be better off in these instances to consider other cosmetic options. Similarly, whitening will have no effect on white (tooth-coloured) fillings, porcelain crowns and veneers – they will remain the same shade. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the most suitable option for you and your teeth.
4) Don’t – undertake teeth whitening unless you’ve got time!
Whitening your teeth involves a bit of time investment. Basic low-level whitening treatments start at about 10 days and depending on the sensitivity of your teeth, it could take longer. Be prepared to dedicate an hour each evening to the couch and avoid food and drink that can stain the teeth such as coffee and red wine.
5) Do – Show off your New Teeth and Winning Smile!
Go out, take as many selfies as possible and flash that winning smile! You deserve it
* Note that not all teeth are susceptible to whitening and some teeth might be particularly sensitive to the procedure. We recommend you speak to your dentist before undergoing any dental treatment*
Dental Care Ireland is currently offering a whitening package for bridal parties. For more information on any aspect of teeth whitening, contact your local Dental Care Ireland practice.
Pregnancy and Your Teeth
Did you know that your gums are more prone to gum disease when you’re pregnant?
We’ve put some tips together for looking after your teeth while pregnant to help avoid gum disease and tooth decay.
Gum Disease
Due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, gums can become more sensitive, which leads to increased inflammation and bleeding and risk of gum disease. We commonly refer to this as pregnancy gingivitis/gum disease. If left untreated, it can develop into full Periodontal Disease, which infects the bone and other tissue supporting the teeth.
It is important therefore to keep the teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible, even more so during pregnancy. The best way is to continue to practice good oral hygiene techniques and maybe to give your teeth a good extra clean reaching in to the hard to reach areas. Keep a close eye on your gums and watch out for bleeding and swelling.
Morning Sickness
If you’re unlucky enough to develop morning sickness, then you may be keen to reach for the toothbrush after to freshen your breath. When you are sick, you expose your teeth to acid and by brushing your teeth straight away you are adding to the damage as the acid from your stomach will have softened the enamel on your teeth. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Diet
You will have no-end of advice on what to eat and not to eat during pregnancy and for further information on these visit the HSE’s pages on pregnancy care.
The big food and drink offenders when it comes to your teeth are food and drinks high in sugar, alcohol and caffeine. We would recommend avoiding these whether pregnant or not!
Dental work during pregnancy
Most dentists will try to avoid doing anything other than basic dental work during pregnancy. It is safe to continue to visit your dentist and hygienist for a check up and routine dental work. However, if more serious work is necessary then make sure to plan it carefully to ensure you and your baby’s safety. Dental X Rays should be avoided while pregnant.
Most importantly Please make sure you tell your dentist you are pregnant.
Useful Links:
For information on your dental care options visit the HSE’s site.
For tips and advice on healthy eating, visit Safefood Ireland.
List of all Dental Care Ireland practices.
Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne Opening Offers
To celebrate the opening of our brand new practice on High Street Ashbourne, we are offering 10% off all dental treatments for the month of July.
We are also offering half price check-ups including scale and polish.
To book simply contact our Ashbourne practice.
Top 5 Teeth Offenders
We’ve all heard the discussions on sugar tax and childhood obesity. But what about the effects of sugar on our teeth?
Unfortunately sugar is the enemy of teeth as well and we need to limit the amount of sugary and acidic foods we take in for the sake of our general oral health and to prevent tooth decay.
To help you out, we’ve put together the following list of five sneaky teeth offenders to watch out for:
Mints
We’re all prone to popping a mint after a meal or in between meetings. However, mints contain high levels of sugar and should be avoided. If you’re regularly sucking or chomping on mints, you’re opening up your teeth to major sugar and acid attacks.
Sugary drinks
No big surprise here! We’re aware that fizzy drinks are bad for our teeth and don’t be fooled by the attraction of diet and sugar free options – the bubbles and acid are still wreaking havoc on your teeth. Our advice is to limit or completely reduce the sugary / fizzy drinks that you consume for the sake of your teeth if nothing else!
What you might not be as aware of is the harmful effects of seemingly ‘healthy’ drinks such as juices and smoothies on our teeth. These drinks are often very high in acid and sugar and expose people, particularly children, to the same risk of tooth decay. Our advice? Go for water every time!
Sports and energy drinks
Sports and high energy drinks often contain a huge amount of sugar. Sipping on a sports drink throughout your workout is going to expose your teeth to prolonged sugar and acid attacks, leading to decay.
Sticky, chewy sweets
We all know sweets contain high levels of sugar. The chewy, sticky sweets you get are particularly bad as they are likely to get stuck in gaps and hard to reach places on the teeth and cause decay.
Soft breads and pastries (starchy foods)
Your morning Danish pastry can lie in hiding, lurking in the depths of your teeth, causing damage and decay throughout the day. Some of these pastries are obviously high in sugar but others such as white bread can have hidden sugar which also causes decay when left in the teeth all day.
For tips on healthy eating and snacking visit Safe Food Ireland.
Illness & Disease
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Infection leads to a red, swollen and tender area. This area often bleeds when the teeth are brushed or the tender area is touched.
Gum disease occurs when large amounts of bacteria stick together to form a sticky substance called dental plaque. Plaque is found where the gum and the teeth meet. It can cause extreme irritation which leads to a red, swollen and tender area.
As the area becomes more swollen the gums separate from the teeth leading to the development of a pocket where more dental plaque lives and eventually damages the gum and kills the bone around the tooth.
Approximately 80% of Irish people have got some degree of gum disease with the level worsening as we get older.
Halitosis
Halitosis, better known as bad breath, is a common reason why people attend their dentist. In about 90% of genuine halitosis cases, the origin of the odour is in the mouth itself. The most common location for mouth related halitosis is the tongue.
Not all who think they have halitosis have a genuine problem and there are a number of simple effective measures to combat bad breath:
Gently cleaning the tongue surface twice daily is the most effective way to keep bad breath in control. Eating a healthy breakfast with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue.
Chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva, and thereby help to reduce bad breath. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, including daily tongue cleaning, brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists.
Mouth wash
Mouth wash will help to freshen breath and fight tooth decay but should never replace regular brushing and flossing.
Mouth, head and neck cancer
Mouth, head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in men worldwide with over 400 cases diagnosed in Ireland each year. It is mainly diagnosed in men and primarily affects older people but more women and young people have been diagnosed in recent years. If caught early your chances of survival are greatly increased and regular visits to your dentist will assist this as a routine visit includes a check for any abnormalities.
Mouth, head and neck cancer can affect your lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, tonsil, throat (oropharynx), salivary glands, sinuses, nose and voice box (larynx).
Some symptoms to be aware of are:
A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
White or red patches inside your mouth
Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
Numbness of the tongue or face
Loose teeth
These could be symptoms of other ailments but if they persist longer than three weeks always attend your doctor or dentist.
To reduce your risk between visits to your dentist:
Don’t smoke
Limit your intake of alcohol
Use a lip balm that contains sun block
Eat a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables
Check your mouth regularly for changes, for example, when brushing your teeth
Visit your dentist regularly, even if you have no teeth and wear dentures
Diabetes and periodontal disease
Periodontal disease includes conditions known as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (destruction of the tissues which hold the teeth in place). People who have diabetes are more at risk as they tend to have high or fluctuating blood glucose levels. They may also have more difficulty fighting the germs which cause it.
Periodontal disease can cause an infection which destroys the bone supporting your teeth if it is not detected or treated. As the gum disease progresses, symptoms might include tooth loosening or moving, bad breath, or bleeding gums.
Caring for Children’s Teeth
Dental Health Tips for Kids – for Parents!
Messages for a Healthy Mouth:
Eat well
- Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods
- Enjoy healthy snacks
- Avoid snacking on sugary and sticky foods and sweets between meals
- Milk Foods help protect your teeth
Drink well
- Tap water is the best drink between meals and at bedtime
- Avoid drinking acidic and sugary drinks between meals
- Choose sugar-free medicine
Clean well
- Brush twice a day, especially before bed
- Brush your teeth and gums with a toothbrush that has soft bristles and a small head
- Brush your child’s teeth as follows:
- 0 to 2 years – don’t use toothpaste
- 2 to 7 years – use a fluoride toothpaste of not less than 1000ppm fluoride. Use a pea sized amount pushed into the bristles and don’t swallow the paste.
Play well
- Wear a professionally fitted mouthguard when you are playing and training for any sport where there is a risk of mouth injury
- You will need to wear a full-faced helmet or face guard for some sports and recreational activities
- Provide a safe environment for your child, in the home and in the playground
- Adult supervision helps to prevent childhood injuries
- If an injury occurs seek professional advice immediately
Stay well
- Children ought to have their first dental visit by the age of 3 years
- Check with a dental professional to see if your child needs fissure sealants
- Have regular check-ups – tooth decay may not be painful until it’s too late
What is tooth decay and how can we prevent it?
Tooth decay is caused when bacteria present in the mouth turn sugar into acid. The acid then produces holes in teeth, which is known as decay. Foods that are high in natural or added sugars such as sugary beverages like fruit juices, cordials and soft drinks can contribute to tooth decay. These drinks (juices, cordial and soft drinks) also have high acid levels, which can play a major role in the development of tooth erosion especially when sipped slowly or swished and swirled around the mouth. Dentists recommend that we limit cordials, juices and soft drinks due to their link with dental problems.
