Dr. Ashkan Azima

Clinic: Granby Row Carlow

Dr. Ashkan Azima

Five Minutes with Dr. Ashkan Azima, General Dentist

Dr Ashkan is a General Dentist working full time in our Granby Clinic in Carlow

Ashkan is a skilled Dentist with many years’ experience as a General Dentist He was Born in Tehran and raised in San Diego, California.

Dr. Ashkan’s patients will love his work hard and commitment, his dedication to patient care, his meticulous approach towards the clinical procedures and the great pride he takes in his work.

 

Let’s hear from Ashkan himself:

 

  1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

I started my career in dentistry in San Diego at my family practice and then in Charlotte, North Carolina obtained my BA in  biology before I continued my post grad in Europe

 

  1.  How do you spend your spare time?

 

In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling , walking dogs and horses. Also playing tennis, golf and snowboarding.

 

  1. What is the last thing you have done to improve your skills/knowledge?

 

I undertook a restorative program in Glasgow and reading Dr. Didier Dietschi literature and publications.

 

  1. What is your top tip for Oral Health?

 

My top tip for Oral Health is to floss after each meal.

Dr. Dur Bawi

Five Minutes with Dr. Dur Bawi, General Dentist

Dr. Dur is a skilled dentist with a dedicated work ethic and a keen interest in Oral Surgery. She is proficient in all aspects of General Dentistry for patients of all ages. She is passionate about patient-focused care and enjoys working alongside a team of Specialists in various fields of dentistry.

Dr. Dur has recently moved to Ireland and will be working from our Granby clinic in Carlow town. She will be providing General Dentistry care to Pembroke Dental’s new and existing patients.

 

1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

I have spent my entire life living, studying and working in Madrid, Spain. I graduated from Rey Juan Carlos University in 2018 and also from a Masters Degree in Oral Surgery and Implantology at Virgen de la Paloma Hospital in Madrid in 2021. I have consistently worked as a General Dentist throughout my studies.

 

2. What do you enjoy most about dentistry?

I love dentistry because each patient’s case is different, so it is not a routine job. This is also one of the reasons why I wanted to work abroad. I guess you can say that I like change!

 

3. What is the last thing you have done to improve your skills/knowledge?

I am always aiming to improve my dentistry skills and knowledge. During my time at University, I attended many lectures and seminars held by industry professionals. I found them to be very informative and educational. I have also worked alongside many distinguished dentists, who I gained valuable insight from along the way.

Dr. Dalia Aqel

Five Minutes with Dr. Dalia Aqel

 

Dr. Dalia is a General Dentist working full-time from our two practices in Carlow town.

 

Where were you born and raised?

I am Palestinian, born in Tunisia, a country in North Africa as the fourth eldest in a family of five siblings. I was raised in Tunisia as well as Jordan, a country in the Middle East.

 

Where did you start your career in dentistry?

I graduated from University in Romania as a Dental Student in 2016. After graduating from University, I spent 5 years working in Jordan. Initially, I was in an internship role before working as a General Dentist with an interest in Prosthodontics.

I have always wanted to move to Ireland to work. I am thrilled that I made the move because the people of Ireland have been so welcoming. Plus, I was keen to work with one of my closest friends, Dr. Raksha Batajoo who I met back in University!

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

When I am not working, I enjoy socialising with friends and listening to music. One of my favourite artists is Ed Sheeran, but I do love Arabic music as well as Pop!

 

What is the last thing you done to improve your skills/knowledge?

I recently completed an Advanced Endodontic Course back in Jordan. I do believe that it is important to keep up-to-date with current trends within the dental history, so I am always reading work by industry professionals.

 

What is your top tip for oral health?

It is hard to pick one! Brush 3 times a day, floss, use an oral rinse and reduce the frequency of sugar in your diet day-to-day. Also, pay us a visit every six months to keep on top of cleanings!

 

 

 

Dr. Mehwish Mansoor

‘I am a compassionate dentist with more than ten years of experience in working as a dental surgeon in general dental practice.
I am proficient in all fields of dentistry but have a particular interest in preventative dentistry and dental counselling.
I pride myself on making my patients fully comfortable before embarking on any treatment to make them totally at ease during a dental visit.’

 

Five Minutes with Dr Mehwish Mansoor, Dentist

 

1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

My journey as a dentist started when I graduated in the city of Lahore in Pakistan from the oldest and most prestigious dental school there. We had a wide variety of patients coming in from all parts of the country. I did my first clinical internship in the public hospital associated with our dental school. It was a very exciting opportunity for a young graduate like me, albeit one that carried an enormous responsibility. After twelve months of working in all the different disciples of dentistry, I started working in a private clinic that was owned by one of our teachers.

Fast forward many years and I moved to Ireland where a whole new world opened to me, regarding not only dentistry but also in the form of a very inviting and inclusive culture and people. It has been a very happening journey and sometimes I am surprised myself when I think of the young and clueless teenage girl roaming in huge corridors of the age old building of Demontmorency Institute of Dental Sciences after clearing all the requisite exams to be there.

 

2. What do you enjoy most about dentistry and how do you spend your spare time?

I enjoy all aspects of general routine dentistry but there are certainly a few things about my profession that I particularly enjoy. There is a sense of accomplishment in helping people and I am very fortunate that dentistry is one of the few professions where rewards go beyond monetary, you get to connect with people on their level and help remove their pain or discomfort. At the end of each day, nothing satisfies you more completely than being of use to another human being.

Secondly, I particularly enjoy the emphasis on prevention and disease control that has been put on oral health in the recent years. In the 80s and 90s, dentistry was more about treating the disease after it has occurred. Now we have evolved into professionals who can prevent a vast majority of oral and dental health issues by preventative measures. This saves a huge amount of time, money and discomfort in the later years. I love educating people about their oral health so they can see dentists as allies who will work with them to avoid most of the dental health problems, and treat the ones that are remaining in the most minimally invasive manner possible.

Regarding my spare time, I have been an avid reader all my life. Nothing is as relaxing at the end of a long day as a book. I also have two young boys and most of my time is spent tearing them away from their gadgets so we can read, draw, play, walk and cook together. Growing up, my favorite sport was badminton and I still love any chance I can get to take the rackets out, weather permitting, of course.

 

3. What is that last thing you have done to improve your skills/knowledge?

Like all professional fields, it is vital that we keep learning in dentistry too so our knowledge and skills are up to date. I very regularly attend Royal College Intensive Revision Courses that gathers all the professors and masters in the different fields of dentistry to get on one forum and teach the current best practices in their field of expertise.

I have also attended hands on refresher courses in the Dublin Dental Hospital to improve my clinical skills. The feedback that you get from the teachers and seniors there plays a big role in improving your work.

 

4. How do you suggest for a nervous patent who needs to see a dentist but is too nervous?

I understand that a lot of people have the nagging feeling that they need to see a dentist but they may have some fears, for example of pain, judgement or a horrible diagnosis. What I would suggest them firstly is that there is nothing unusual about it. It is perfectly normal to be afraid of dentists, sometimes our previous experiences also factor in to our fears. However, you need to visualise your first appointment as just the knowing process, both of the dentist and and his opinion about your teeth and discussion and planning of all the available treatment options.

Dentistry has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years and patients are explained each and every step of their treatment plan. We want your treatment to be as painless as possible and for you to be as comfortable as possible so your appointments are happy, pleasant and productive for both of us. We also prefer minimally invasive treatments and maximum preservation of your teeth and supporting structures. There is no judgement in a dental clinic, just friendly professionals who would love to see you and your family smile their best.

 

5. What makes Pembroke dental a great place to work?

Pembroke Dental has to be one of the best dental practices in this country to work in. The sense of camaraderie and teamwork makes everything easier. Everyone looks out for their colleagues and take pride and joy in each other’s accomplishments. Dentistry itself can be somewhat of a lonely experience in some workplaces, but not Pembroke. This place is bustling with life and activity and there is always a friendly ear around if you need it. Also, the presence of so many specialists and general dental practitioners under one roof makes the brain storming of ideas and continual learning a daily part of our professional lives.

 

6. How can I get my kids to brush their teeth?

As a mother I can fully appreciate how hard it can be to get our children into these small daily habits. There is a lot of patience and consistency needed to get them to brush their teeth thoroughly and regularly. Up until the age of 7 years, you need to be helping them do it properly, especially regarding cleaning the back teeth well. Kids don’t really have enough manual dexterity to reach all the nook and crannies of their mouth where most of the sweet and sticky stuff is quite possibly lurking around.

From seven, you can gradually hand them over the responsibility of brushing their teeth, and you can invest in their favorite cartoon character brush, a timer and pleasant tasting toothpaste to make the process more fun of them. However, you may still need to remind them or ask if they have done it. You can also round them up and do your own flossing and brushing in their presence so you can keep an eye on the way they are doing it. And very importantly, keep on bringing them to the dental clinic every 6 or 12 months as advised by the dentist according to your child’s dental health. Being reminded by the dentist and shown proper brushing technique in the clinic can really help them understand and form good dental hygiene habits.

Dr. Darrelle Power

Specialist in Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Darrelle Power graduated from the Trinity College Dublin dental school in 2001 and went on to undertake further training in Prosthodontics. After she gained her specialist qualification, Dr Power moved to the United States to under take additional qualifications in Aesthetic Dentistry from New York University. Prior to returning to Ireland, she lectured and taught as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Prosthodontics at New York University. Dr. Power attends at The Granby Clinic and Pembroke Dental Kilkenny and provides specialist treatment in the advanced replacement and restoration of missing, broken, worn teeth or heavily restored teeth as well as high-end cosmetic work such as dental veneers and smile rehabilitations. She collaborates closely with other dental specialists and dentists to attain the best outcome for her patients, leading a multi-disciplinary team.

 

What to expect from a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a specialist dentist who has completed a five year degree in general dentistry plus at least three additional years of training and education in a postgraduate Prosthodontics program. Prosthodontists specialise in treating and handling dentofacial problems that involve restoring missing and damaged tooth and jaw structures. A prosthodontist is highly trained in aesthetics and cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures and much more. They strive to carry out all treatment to the highest standards possible.

 

Darrelle’s approach to her Patients.

Darrelle describes her approach to dentistry as conscientious and caring whilst paying a high attention to detail. Patients will go through a detailed consultative process at the outset of treatment to create a pathway to their ideal outcome. Darrelle works closely with our inhouse specialists to optimise clinical success. Following the detailed understanding of a patients goals, current condition, budget and timeframe, Darrelle will create a detailed bespoke treatment plan and discuss  with each patient ,exploring all suitable treatment avenues, before embarking on their treatment.

Dr. Kate Farrell

Specialist in Oral Surgery

Kate graduated with honours in Dental Science from Trinity College Dublin in 2008. The following two years were spent in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, the first as a Junior House Officer and the latter as Senior House Officer in Oral Surgery. During this time, she obtained her MFD from the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. Kate then worked for a further two years as a Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in St. James’ Hospital Dublin and during this time was awarded an FFD in Oral Surgery/ Oral Medicine by the RCSI.

She then returned to the Dublin Dental University Hospital to complete a three-year clinical doctorate in Oral Surgery and graduated with first class honours in 2015. She completed the Fellowship in Oral Surgery and is registered as an oral surgeon specialist with the Irish Dental Council. Kate currently works as a Fellow in Maxillofacial Pediatric Surgery in Crumlin Children’s Hospital, in the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin as well as in private practice.

Dr. Carlos Castillo

My name is Carlos Castillo and I have moved to Ireland after over 8 years working as a specialist dentist in Spain.

 

I have practiced implant and periodontal dentistry for many years following my postgraduate education. I have attained postgraduate Masters degrees in Periodontics and Mucogingival Surgery from San Pablo CEU University, Madrid-Spain [2015] and Masters in Advanced Oral Surgery and Implantology, University of Lleida, Lérida-Spain [2107].

 

I am delighted to join Pembroke Dental as part of the specialist dentist team. Together with my colleagues who specialise in cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery, we can combine our specialist therapies to provide the highest level of comprehensive dental care to our patients under one roof.

 

I am limiting my practice to Periodontal [Gum] and implant dentistry as I have years’ experience in this area. I undertake all aspects of specialist periodontal therapy. I offer a broad range of periodontal treatments such as

 

 

  • Treatment of Periodontal [Gum] disease
  • Gum and Bone grafting
  • Guided bone and tissue regeneration
  • Cosmetic gum surgery

 

I also undertake dental implant placement and rebuilding. I am currently placing Nobel Biocare dental implants-one of the most respected and well researched brand of dental implant worldwide. Dental implants are the way of the future for many patients in my opinion, offering a really good alternative to dentures for missing teeth if placed correctly and with care.

 

All my patients shall be treated to the highest level that I can achieve with patient satisfaction being my highest priority.

Dr. Nina King

 

Having been on the specialist list in the UK since 2006, Nina will be starting work to Ireland as a Prosthodontist with our team. Nina is happy to accept Patients for advanced restorative and cosmetic work , crown and bridge work,  veneers, dentures, and aesthetic dentistry generally. Nina will be supporting our implant patients, forming part of our multidisciplinary team to deliver complex and varied treatment.

 

Although born in London, her extensive international experience stretches across five countries with dedication to cosmetic and advanced restorative dentistry. She has worked and taught in several prestegious UK dental hospitals such as Leeds and Guy’s, and also spent two years working in Dubai in the longest established clinic in the country and holding a clinical teaching post there.

 

In addition, she spent almost 10 years in Spain where she had her own private practice and worked in collaboration with a highly prestigious, medical plastic surgery center.

 

She is looking forward to becoming part of the Pembroke Dental team and settling in her husband’s homeland of the Republic of Ireland.

 

Five minutes with Dr. Nina King

 

Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

I studied in London at the Royal London Hospital School Of Medicine and Dentistry. I was born in the UK but I had lived abroad for most of my life until then, so I was excited to get back to University there.

 

What do you enjoy most about dentistry and how do you spend your spare time?

 

I enjoy establishing a connection with my patients and am honored that they trust me to help them. Giving someone confidence in their smile again is a great feeling for them and for me!

I am a travel fanatic and love exploring new places, cultures, languages and food. When at home I enjoy reading and simply spending time with the family which includes our two dogs!

 

What is the last thing you have done to improve your skills/knowledge?

 

I’m always learning and trying to stay-up-to date. I have been spending a lot of time recently with the Cerec dentistry portal and increasing my knowledge of the technology/applications so I can continue to push digital dentistry forwards.

 

What are the greatest changes you have seen in dentistry in the last 10 years?

 

I can´t believe in the past 24 years since qualifying, how quickly things have been advancing. For me it´s about the improvements in materials and their capabilities. I know material science sounds like a very dull field, but adhesive bonding and improved ceramic strengths have changed the way I practice. For example, take Porcelain veneers, some of the materials can be made just 0.4mm thick and we use these to cover the teeth to make smile improvements. That´s almost as thin as a contact lens, so it means less drilling of the teeth, less time, less sensitivity afterwards and still great strength and beauty.

 

Are you seeing a bigger demand from people who want to improve the appearance of their smiles?

 

Absolutely! The internet/media has opened up a world of possibilities for people who might be looking at smile improvements.  What I still find so interesting is that many people don´t realize there may be several options available to suit different budgets and lifestyles. Often, I see patients in their 50´s or 60´s who have hated their smiles their whole life but didn´t know that it´s not too late and things can still be changed. For example, if teeth are not straight, it doesn´t necessarily mean they need 18 months of full braces. For the older patient especially, we can sometimes do simpler movements working with the orthodontist and later just do some build ups and whitening to create a much better look. I love seeing people´s reactions when they finally feel they can smile for the camera!

Dr. Raksha Batajoo

Five Minutes with Dr. Raksha Batajoo, Specialist Orthodontist

If you look up the word ‘passionate’ in the dictionary, you’ll probably see a picture of Dr. Raksha. She is passionate about everything she does from cooking to yoga and reading; but most of all, she is passionate about what she does here at Pembroke Orthodontics. Helping our patients and researching new solutions to dental problems are top priorities for Dr. Raksha. She joined the Specialist Orthodontist list of Ireland in 2022.

 

When not engaged in orthodontic pursuits, Dr. Raksha enjoys her spare time with her family and friends. In addition, she is very involved with her Nepali ex patriot community in Ireland. She is an avid fan of movies and the cinema. Travelling and exploring the Irish countryside is also a keen pastime.

 

A little-known fact about Dr. Raksha? Her first concert ever was Kutumba, a Nepali folk band! Not sure who they are? Or are you a fan of their music yourself? Ask her about it the next time you are in!

 

What Dr. Raksha likes best about her job here in Pembroke Dental? All of the great people she gets to meet and work with; parents, patients, co-workers and the nursing team as well as the wider dental community.

 

Let’s hear from Raksha herself:

 

1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

My dentistry career started as I took my first step inside the University in Romania as a Dental student in 2010. I graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry, DMD. After completion I returned to my home city of Kathmandu in Nepal and practiced as a general dentist for about a year. My particular area of interest in dentistry has always been orthodontics so I followed my dream and completed my 3-year post graduation training on Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopaedics.I am now on the Specialist Orthodontist Register in Ireland.

 

2. What do you enjoy most about dentistry and how do you spend your spare time?

 

I particularly enjoy meeting new people, communicating with them and getting to know their dental and health problems and helping to solve them if I can. I thrive on difficult cases and getting entangled with new methods and technologies.

 

I spend my spare time mostly travelling and watching movies. Some days I totally relax and I do nothing at all-I need time to totally unwind. I do always make sure to have time for my family.

 

3. What is the last thing you have done to improve your skills/knowledge?

 

The last thing that I have done to improve my skills/ knowledge is to attend as many Invisalign seminars and webinars that I could possibly get my hands on-they are really educational and informative. I am also attending some online training programs. I have worked and assisted many renowned dentists and grabbed many helpful tips and knowledge from their experience. I am an avid reader and study as many scientific articles as I can related to dentistry and new innovative practice methods.

 

4. How do you suggest for nervous patients who needs to see a dentist but are too nervous?

 

For every patient we need to gain their trust first. To do so, we must ensure we acknowledge their problems and the history of their nervousness. A smile and an open friendly nature never hurt. Discussing our problems in a calm and open forum can help lessen fears which I welcome and can help in easing nervousness and make my patients feel relaxed.

 

5. What is your top tip for oral health?

 

First and foremost, attaining and maintaining dental health is our top priority. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease and can help you keep your teeth as you get older. Dental health is also interlinked with general health -so some simple tips are as follows. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque. Visit your Dentist at least twice a year for a dental health check. Cut down on the frequency of sweet acidic drinks and sweet foods to help both your dental and general health overall.

Dr. Shah Nawaz

 

Dr. Nawaz graduated from Riphah International University, Pakistan in 2009. After graduation he continued his dental education initially as a dental house officer followed by four years as a post graduate resident dental surgeon to gain postgraduate experience in a variety of dental specialties including Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry.

 

He lectured and taught undergraduate dental students while following a year-long postgraduate certificate course in Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry. He attended numerous hands-on endodontic courses which engendered his special interest in the field of Endodontics. He has worked as a General Dental Practitioner in Ireland with Pembroke Dental for several years, during which he decided to pursue Endodontics fulltime as a career.

 

He recently completed a Masters degree programme studying Endodontics in Italy while concentrating on endodontics and implant dentistry in general practice. He is now limiting his practice fully to endodontics and undertakes all aspects of advanced endodontic procedures including molar endodontics, retreatments, removal of broken instruments and surgical endodontics with the aid of our surgical Microscope.

 

Shah focusses on attention to detail and pain management during his work. He enjoys marrying the science of dentistry with extraordinary skill and dedication.