Dental Care Ireland Archives - Page 8 of 9

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 22^nd and on Friday, December 29^th from 10am to 12pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Ballsbridge (NIDM), Dublin 4: Open until Friday, December 22^nd. Then closed until Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Cabinteely, Co Dublin: Open until Friday, December 22^nd and on Thursday, December 28^th from 9am to 1pm, and Saturday, December 30^th from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

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 27^th, 28^th, 29^th and 30^th, and on January 2^nd and 3^rd. Normal hours resume on Thursday, January 4^th.

Carlow: Open until 5.40pm on Friday, December 22^nd. This practice will run an emergency clinic until lunch-time on Wednesday, December 27^th and Friday, December 29^th for which there will be no set appointments. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Castlebar, Co Mayo: Open until Friday, December 22^nd. Then closed until Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Greystones, Co Wicklow: Open until 12pm on Friday, December 22^nd. Open on Wednesday, December 27^th from 1pm to 5pm, and on Thursday and Friday, December 28^th and 29^th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Kells, Co Meath: Open until Friday, December 22^nd. Open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 27^th, 28^th and 29^th, from 9.30am to 5pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Knocklyon, Dublin 16: Open until Friday, December 22^nd. Open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 28^th, 29^th and 30^th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Navan, Co Meath: Open on Friday, December 22^nd from 8.30am to 2.30pm, and on Saturday, December 23^rd from 8.30am to 12pm. Open on Wednesday, December 27^th from 8.30am to 12.30pm, andon Thursday and Friday, December 28^th and 29^th, from 9.30am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Tullamore, Co Offaly: Open until Friday, December 22^nd. Open on Thursday and Friday, December 28^th and 29^th, from 9am to 1pm. Normal hours resume on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Swords, Co Dublin: Open until Friday, December 22^nd, with normal hours resuming on Tuesday, January 2^nd. An emergency clinic will also operate on Thursday and Friday, December 28^th and 29^th, 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

Dentist in Knocklyon gets a sparkling makeover

Dental Care Ireland Knocklyon practice manager Finnola Jones discusses how a recent makeover has made a huge difference for this dentist in Knocklyon

Dental Care Ireland’s practice in Knocklyon, Dublin 16, is conveniently located in Knocklyon Shopping Centre. Even though it rebranded as a Dental Care Ireland practice in June 2015, this dentist in Knocklyon is a mainstay in the community, having been operating there since 1992.

Strong links with the community

“Our principal dentist, Dr Vincent McDonagh, managed a one-surgery practice here for years, so he has built up very strong links with the community,” says Finnola Jones, practice manager with Dental Care Ireland Knocklyon.

“The practice has been transformed in the last couple of years; we have taken on five people since Dental Care Ireland became involved. Now, we have three dentists, one orthodontist, four dental nurses and myself.”

A complete refurbishment

As the number of staff has grown, so too has the practice itself. “We recently underwent a complete refurbishment, and took on additional space,” says Finnola.

“We added another surgery and a brand-new reception area to the practice to deal with increasing demand, and also improved our visibility. Beforehand, our unit has a little hidden away from the public, but now we’re front and centre in the shopping centre so people know we’re here!”

‘It’s the nicest surgery I’ve ever been in!’

This investment has certainly paid dividends with the community. “We’re gotten lots of comments from our patients, who are really impressed with the new look of the practice,” says Finnola. “It used to be a little old-fashioned, but now it really catches the eye. To be honest, it’s the nicest surgery I’ve ever worked in, or been in full stop!”

The dentist in Knocklyon offers all the general dental treatments like fillings, x-rays, crowns and extractions. However, it has also responded to demand by adding orthodontic treatment. “We have an orthodontist, Dr Lian O’Dwyer, who looks after patients who are looking for this treatment. It really is becoming more and more popular among both children and adults,” says Finnola.

We’ve doubled our capacity

It is clear that this dentist in Knocklyon is benefitting hugely from the revamp. “We’re just so busy at the moment,” says Finnola. “We’ve doubled our capacity after the renovation, and we really needed to because the demand was there. Knocklyon is a really family-focused area, and we see that demographic reflected in the patients who come into the practice.”

Everything that Finnola and the team do is focused on providing patients with a better experience. “Our top priority is making sure that our patients are comfortable,” she says. “We try to be friendly to everyone who walks in the door, and maintain an upbeat atmosphere. That’s a great formula, whether it’s with Vincent’s patients who he’s been treating since the 1990s, or some of the new patients who are coming in all the time.”

Making patients feel at ease

“Because we have lots of families and younger patients coming in, it’s so important to recognise that they can be a little bit nervous. Our dentists are fantastic at recognising this and making patients feel really at ease,” says Finnola.

The team are delighted to be operating in Knocklyon, and dealing with such a great community. “I’m originally from Wicklow, but it’s been brilliant working in Knocklyon,” says Finnola. “Everyone is so friendly and they’re delighted to see a local practice with staff that they know so well getting such an impressive makeover.”

The practice also makes sure to offer patients the new dental entitlements that have been brought in by the government. “There have been a number of welcome benefits that we offer here in Knocklyon, so I would ask patients to always enquire so we can check whether they qualify,” says Finnola.

“This is a community dentist, and we’re proud to represent Knocklyon!”

The DCI Knocklyon dental practice is open on Mondays from 8am to 6.30pm, on Tuesdays from 8am to 6pm, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 7pm, on Fridays from 9am to 5pm, on Saturdays from 8.30am to 12pm, and at lunchtimes. Get in touch with the team today to book an appointment. Call 01-4936909 for more information

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 Castlebar
Dental Care Ireland Tullamore
Callan Dental
Kilfeather Dental

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

Practice Profile: Kells dental practice in great shape

Kells dental practice manager Sandra Crosby discusses her work, what she looks for in staff, and how patients are the team’s number one priority

Dental Care Ireland’s practice in Kells, Co Meath, located on the town’s Bective Square, was officially opened in September 2017, and features state of the art facilities and equipment. Sandra Crosby, practice manager in Kells, says that it’s an exciting time for the practice.

“Our principal dentist, Dr Maura McGuinness, ran this practice for three decades before Dental Care Ireland took over the running of it in May 2015,” she says. “Maura’s still very much here and continues to treat many of her patients. I suppose the main advantages for her are the reduction in administrative headaches, in terms of managing the practice and marketing it to a wider audience.”

Dental implants are becoming very popular

The staff has grown a lot since Dental Care Ireland took over. “We have ten staff here in Kells – five dental nurses, three dentists, one hygienist, and myself,” says Sandra. “We also host an implantologist here once a month. Dental implants are becoming very popular. I’ve been working here for nearly 15 years – and 12 years before Dental Care Ireland’s arrival.”

What is like to have seen Dental Care Ireland partner with the practice? “One of the best things about Dental Care Ireland’s input is investment – we now have a state-of-the-art practice. That really works well considering we already had a great rapport with the community.”

Challenging but interesting

What does a practice manager do? “My job is challenging but interesting – I’m involved in the administration of the practice, and its overall management. That involves upskilling staff and regular meetings and updates, and lots of day-to-day activities. With Dental Care Ireland on board, we can employ more people and can avail of a bigger budget, so it means more work for me!”

It’s great that the Kells practice can take on new staff, so what does Crosby look for in new hires? “We look for enthusiastic, positive people who are easily motivated. We want everyone to be a good fit, and for that they need to be on the same page. We have a great mix of both young and more experienced staff, and it really is a pleasure to come in to work every day.”

Patients are the primary focus

As in all Dental Care Ireland practices, the welfare and satisfaction of patients is of primary concern. “We want to make sure that the patient experience is top quality from the moment someone comes in the door to when they leave and even afterwards,” says Sandra.

“That starts with a welcoming smile from the moment the door opens, as we know that some people get nervous coming in to the dentist. It’s about showing empathy, and caring for patients.

Little things count for a lot

“We like to offer practical help to patients too – we check their entitlements, such as PRSI benefits, before they even come in. Little things count for a lot as well – we keep candles burning to foster a calming atmosphere, and have stress balls in surgeries. Those things add up for patients, and we know they really appreciate them,” she says.

It is clear from talking with Sandra that working in Kells has changed a lot in recent months and years. “In the last few years we have seen plenty of changes in Kells. There has been serious growth in the town, with a new healthcare building and more and more companies moving here. There are great places to rent and we’ve seen a big increase in patient numbers, especially since our new facility opened last August,” says Sandra.

Best-class services

“In the future, we want to continue to offer best-class services, and are looking to increase our dental implant treatment offering. We already offer patients extended opening hours, and our staff really appreciate the connection we have with the community. It’s an exciting time for the Kells practice!”

Dental Care Ireland Kells offers over 100 hours of surgery time and emergency appointments every week. The practice is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 7pm; on Wednesdays from 8am to 6pm; on Thursdays from 8am to 5pm; on Fridays from 9am to 5pm; on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm; and every lunchtime. Get in touch with the team today to book an appointment. See https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/dentist-kells/ or call 046-9240783

Back to School Dental Tips

Take some time to read this fantastic article from LifeStyle on RTÉ with Dental Care Ireland’s very own Group Clinical Advisor, Dr Paul O’Dwyer. In this piece, Paul outlines 5 top back to school dental tips that you should bear in mind.

Visit RTE.ie website

Practice Profile: Brand-new Ashbourne practice off to a strong start

Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne practice manager Audrey O’Brien talks about life in the practice, and working in Ashbourne itself

Dental Care Ireland’s practice in Ashbourne, Co Meath, located on the town’s High Street, was officially opened in May 2017, and features best-in-class fittings and features. 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.

Great experience “Even though we officially opened in May, we’ve been operating for a year now, and it’s been a great experience. The people are so brilliant here, and it’s a pleasure to come into work every day. I’ve worked in Ashbourne before, and I run the day-to-day management of the practice for Dental Care Ireland, making sure that patients and staff are where they need to be at all times.”

The practice employs seven people, and the make-up of the staff reflects a theme in dentistry today. “We’re a young group, and we’re all women!” says Audrey. “We have a hygienist, receptionist, two dentists, two nurses, and myself. What we have here in terms of our staff make-up really does mirror what’s happening in dentistry in general – a significant majority of dentistry graduates are female, which I think is fantastic.”

Always bright But what about the treatments on offer in the Ashbourne practice?

“We offer the standard dental treatments here, along with whitening treatments. It’s a really nice place to work – we’re on the ground floor here; we have a great aspect and it’s always bright, even if it’s raining outside. It’s the kind of place that would cheer you up once you step inside. Our patients say it doesn’t really feel like a traditional dentist’s office, and we like to hear that!” says Audrey.

“We even have a virtual tour of the practice that patients can have a look at before they come in so they know where they’re going!”

Positive impression It’s clear that the staff have made a really positive impression on the community in Ashbourne. “We always try to be nice and friendly so that our patients can have the very best experience possible. Just the other day we heard back from a woman who had brought her mother to us to get dentures. They were both over the moon at how she was treated. We love to hear that kind of feedback – it means a lot to know that you’re making people feel comfortable and secure.”

Ashbourne is a fast-growing, vibrant town, so what does the future hold for Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne? “We’ve got a number of plans in the works,” says Audrey. “We are planning to introduce orthodontic treatments soon, as there is a large market for them in the area.

Lovely vibe “Ashbourne is a young town, but there’s a lovely vibe about the place. There are some really good restaurants and new businesses alongside us on the High Street, and it really seems like the place is feeling the positive effects of the recovery.”

So what sets the Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne practice apart from the competition? “As I said before, it’s all about the way you treat customers, as well as the professional expertise you have,” says Audrey. “Patient care is absolutely paramount, and that’s something that starts from the moment someone walks through the door to when they leave. Our staff are nice and gentle, and that’s what our patients want. That will never change.”

Dental Care Ireland Ashbourne is currently offering 20% of all whitening treatments until the end of August. Get in touch with the team today to book an appointment. See https://www.dentalcareireland.ie/practices/dentist-ashbourne/ or call 01-8350344

Why a Regular Dental Check Up with your Dentist are so Important

A regular Dental Check-Up with your dentist provides peace of mind, as well as maximising your appearance

Putting off a visit to the dentist is something that we all have experience of, yet we should all try to go on a regular basis. Many people remember childhood visits which can play on their minds, but it’s important to remember that dentistry has come a long way, and uncomfortable visits are largely a thing of the past. The reality is that if you take care of your teeth, your dental check-up will probably be just that and nothing more.

The good news is that 8 out of 10 Irish adults are entitled to a free examination through either PRSI or Medical Card schemes. Further cover is available for those with dental insurance, which is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and allows a greater focus on prevention.

Some people have the impression that seeing the dentist can be put off if nothing is visibly or physically wrong. However, it’s important to note that most dental issues don’t start to cause pain until they are at an advanced stage. The key here is to ensure that your dentist sees you for a regular dental check-up before any small issues develop into more serious (and costly) ones.

One of the benefits of seeing a trusted, experienced dentist is the chance to maximise your dental health and, by extension, your appearance. According to the British Dental Journal, “people are perceived more favourably over a range of judgments, including numerous personality traits, when they have normal dentition as opposed to abnormal tooth colour (caused by caries or severe dental fluorosis) or tooth arrangement”.

Perception is an important thing in any walk of life, be it personal or professional. Clean and visibly healthy teeth are something that we can generally all enjoy with minimal effort once we brush and floss regularly and see our dentist once every six months or once a year.

Getting into the habit of seeing your dentist regularly will also ensure you never have to worry about how your teeth are looking. If you have children, it’s also a good idea to lead by example and reinforce the need for them to look after their teeth as well as they grow older.

So, when should you go to your dentist other than your regular dental check-up? Below are some of the symptoms that should have you booking an appointment with your local Dental Care Ireland practice for your treatment needs straight away.

Sensitive teeth: this can be the result of tooth decay or cavities caused by not brushing and flossing regularly, and consuming too many sugary foods and drinks.
Bleeding gums after flossing: a few specks of blood in your saliva after flossing is normal (especially if you haven’t flossed in a while), but if you are seeing quite a bit, it could be an early sign of gum disease and should be treated as soon as possible.
Long-term bad breath: this can be the result of tooth decay, a build-up of bacteria in your mouth or tongue, or even oral cancer. Using mouthwash to disguise the issue won’t help resolve it.
Mouth sores: these can be uncomfortable, and could be signs of cold sores or oral thrush. Your dentist is ideally placed to advise you on their management or treatment if needed.
Pain: it may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people put off dealing with a sore tooth or jaw. If you are experiencing pain that makes you uncomfortable, see your dentist.

Of course there is another reason to see your dentist, and that is if you are unhappy with your smile or your teeth in general. Today, no one need worry about having to tolerate bad teeth if they don’t want to. Trusted dentists provide a range of treatments and patient-focused care to offer you a winning smile, such as teeth whitening, orthodontics or dental implants. For a list of specialist treatments, see our website

Regular attendance at your dental practice gives you easy access to professional dental care, advice and treatment. Together with our experienced clinical team, we will minimise the likelihood of costly treatment later on, giving you and your family the peace of mind that comes with attending a trusted health professional. Click here to find your nearest Dental Care Ireland practice.

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. See dentalcareireland.ie for more terms and conditions, prices, and contact details for our practices.

Dental Benefits: PRSI, Medical Cards and Insurance

Dental Benefits: PRSI payers are entitled to one free dental check-up per year

Book your free PRSI check-up here!

Approximately two million people in Ireland pay PRSI but surprisingly only 25% of those eligible claim the free dental check-up that is available under the scheme!

Everyone who pays PRSI is entitled to a free dental check-up. It is important to note that not all dentists are registered providers of the PRSI dental scheme, but here at Dental Care Ireland we ensure that all our practices are equipped to carry out your free exam.

Visiting your dentist regularly is so important and will ensure that any issues are detected early, before they become bigger and often expensive problems. A regular check-up can pick up conditions such as tooth decay, teeth grinding, gum disease and even oral cancer.

Prevention is the best dental treatment after all!

Are you a medical card holder?

There are a number of people who are eligible to a Medical Card, these card holders are entitled to a range of medical and dental services (including dentures) free of charge. Medical card holders are entitled to the following:

One free check-up each year
Two fillings (when approved by the HSE)
Initial root canal treatment (only certain teeth)
Wisdom tooth extraction (not including referral to an oral surgeon)

For more information, or to find out if you are eligible, please visit the HSE website.

Med 2

Some specialist dental treatments qualify for tax relief, meaning you can offset the total cost of your treatment against your income tax liability. All you need to do is fill out a Med 2 form and your dentist will sign on your behalf. Treatments covered include:

For more information, please contact Revenue.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is becoming very popular throughout Ireland, which can cover some or all of the cost of many dental treatments. Please contact your insurance provider to find out your coverage.

Popular dental insurers include:

Book your free Dental Benefits: PRSI check up today.

Don’t let bad breath ruin your love life this Valentine’s Day

As tradition would have it, a kiss on Valentine’s Day is said to bring good luck along with a variety of health benefits, including lowered blood pressure, and increased resilience against tooth decay, due to an increase in saliva which helps fight plaque causing bacteria.

However, there is one thing that is sure to stop you getting your kiss this Valentine’s Day, the dreaded curse of bad breath.

There are many common causes for bad breath or Halitosis and according to the Irish Dental Association, a surprising 1 in 4 Irish people are suffering with chronic bad breath. In most cases it is easily treated and very preventable and shouldn’t be holding you back from a potentially life changing kiss.

It is likely that your bad breath is caused by the bacteria in the mouth working to break down food in the mouth and leads to the formation of plaque on your teeth, tongue and gums. When combined with saliva, it can produce an unpleasant smelling gas.

Make sure you adopt a good oral hygiene routine, brushing alone will only clean 60% of the tooth surface. Flossing daily will allow to reach the surfaces that brushing misses and will limit the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Just because you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, doesn’t mean you’re cleaning them well enough. You need to brush for a at least two minutes and be sure to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. You may want to rinse with an antibacterial or odour eliminating mouthwash too.

Of course there are the obvious causes, don’t be surprised if people keep their distance after you’ve indulged in strong smelling foods such as onions and garlic. This smell is often temporary and following good oral hygiene techniques will help.

Smokers take note, this is a likely cause of your bad breath. As well as the lingering smell of stale smoke, it stains your teeth, irritates your gums and increases your chance of tooth decay and gum disease.

Constant bad breath can also be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease. You should be visiting your dentist every 6-12 months, so it may be time to book your check-up to make sure you have no cavities in need of attention.

Book your dental examination with one of our Dental Care Ireland clinicians today and make sure your teeth and gums are happy and healthy. Don’t let bad breath hold you back.

Win a Free Dental Exam, Clean & Tooth Whitening

Win a free dental exam!! It might be a miserable January but spring is only just around the corner. We at Dental Care Ireland are here to help you look your best with an exclusive dental care offer available to our Facebook fans.

The prize will include a free dental exam with one of our dentists, teeth cleaning and take home whitening kit (worth up to €300) from the Dental Care Ireland Clinic of your choice. We have clinics in Cabinteely, Knocklyon, Castlebar, Kells and Tullamore.

You’ll receive your exam and clean before having impression taken for your home whitening kit trays. Trays may take up to 10 days depending on the practice you visit. Castlebar patients should receive their trays within 48 hours.

To enter, simply like and share the Facebook post and you will be added to a random draw. The winner will be selected at 5pm on Monday 25 January and announced on Tuesday 26 January 2016.

You must ‘like’ and ‘share’ the post before 4pm on Monday 25 January 2016 for your entry to be included.

Good luck!