Dr. Shahriar Khorshid

Dr. Shahriar Khorshid

Five Minutes with Dr. Shahriar Khorshid, General Dentist

Dr. Shahriar is a pleasant, knowledgeable dentist based in the original Pembroke premises in Carlow town. He also provides General Dentistry services every Monday in our Bagenalstown clinic. While he enjoys General Dentistry, he is also very passionate about Periodontics and Endodontics. He has worked and studied in various countries around the world, including his home country, Iran.

 

Dr. Shahriar’s favourite thing about his job at Pembroke Dental is interacting with patients day-to-day and providing them with quality dentistry.

 

Let’s hear from Shahriar himself:

 

  1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

I worked in a private practice in Budapest, Hungary. Upon graduating from University, I completed one year of postgraduate studies in Germany before returning to Iran to volunteer as a General Practitioner.

 

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

 

I am interested in all aspects of dentistry, especially treatments associated with gums, oral conditions, and root canals. Interacting with my patients before, during and after their treatment is important to ensure that they are comfortable and satisfied.

 

In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching sports. I have a particular interest in tennis, swimming, and volleyball. I also enjoy reading and cooking.

 

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

 

I believe that is very important to keep up to date with new dentistry techniques and skills. I am currently attending a Prosthodontic course with Pembroke’s very own Dr. Nina King. Myself and a number of other dentists attend the course every Wednesday in Pembroke’s Newbridge practice. It is a challenge attending this course every week whilst also working full time 6 days a week, but it will be worth it.

 

  1. What are some changes that you have witnessed in dentistry since you qualified?

 

Multiple dentistry fields are changing and evolving every day, especially with the introduction of new dental technologies. I believe that it is necessary to keep up to date with the highest standard of dentistry across the various different fields.

Dr. Chinonso Nwachukwu

Five Minutes with Dr. Chinonso Nwachukwu, General Dentist & Hygienist

Dr. Chinonso is a gentle, experienced dentist based in the original Pembroke premises in Carlow town. She also spends one day a week treating patients in our Bagenalstown clinic. She is enthusiastic about all aspects of dentistry, especially oral hygiene. She has recently moved from Hungary, where she worked for 6.5 months, to join the team here at Pembroke Dental. Dr. Chinonso ensures that all of her patients are 100% satisfied following their treatment.

 

When she is not working, Dr. Chinonso regularly keeps in contact with her friends and family back home in Aboh Mbaise and Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

 

Dr. Chinonso’s favourite thing about her job at Pembroke Dental is interacting with patients day-to-day and providing them with good oral hygiene tips and advice. Nothing makes her happier than seeing patients pleased with their dental treatment after their visit to Pembroke Dental.

 

Let’s hear from Chinonso herself:

 

1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

I began studying dentistry in the University of Pécs in Hungary, where I studied there for 6 years. After I graduated from University, I began practicing as a General Dentist for 6.5 months in a village called Dunaszentbenedek in Hungary. Moving to Ireland was a big change for me, but I was very excited about it!

 

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

 

I truly enjoy meeting and interacting each day with patients, new and existing. I prioritise patient satisfaction and try to make their experience as comfortable as possible.

 

In my spare time, I like to relax and practice self-care. I have a skincare routine that I like to follow to keep my skin looking healthy. I also enjoy a shopping spree every now and then!

 

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

 

I am always striving to improve my dental skills and knowledge. Since moving to Ireland, I have been regularly studying the HSE website. Watching YouTube videos is also a fantastic, free & fun way to access educational content about dentistry.

 

4. What would you say to patients who are nervous about attending the dentist?

 

I approach all of my patients in a calm & friendly manner. It is crucial that patients are relaxed and understand each process of their treatment. Using a calm voice to check-in with patients throughout their appointment is a priority of mine.

 

5. What is your top tip for oral health?

 

My top tip for oral health is to brush gently with a soft bristled toothbrush. I also recommend flossing regularly to help remove bacteria and improve your oral health.

Dr. Waseem Gohar

Five Minutes with Dr. Waseem Gohar, General Dentist

 

Where did you start your dentistry career?

I started my formal dentistry career in The University Dental Hospital in sunny Dubai after graduating with a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Hungary. Having been away from my family during undergraduate years, I wanted to spend some time with them in Dubai before I embarked on my journey to work in Ireland.

I spent the following months as a dental intern in different departments of dentistry gaining indispensable skills from the specialists in the hospital. During this time, I also completed Part 1 of Membership of Faculty of Dentistry postgraduate examination from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (MFD RCSI). I intend to take Part 2 of this examination imminently.

Dubai is a home to over 200 nationalities, so meeting new people and understanding different culture has strengthened my communication skills, which is an important aspect of dentistry.

 

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

The beauty of being a dentist is this- every day is different, each patient presents a unique challenge, keeping you motivated. You never get bored or have a mundane day at work. I enjoy all things dentistry, from meeting and greeting my patients to the treatment procedure itself but my particular interest lies in Endodontics or root canal treatment.

I am an avid reader and gym enthusiast; I spend my spare time reading psychological thrillers, weightlifting, and occasionally dabbling in cardiovascular exercise.

 

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

I keep myself up to date with contemporary literature, reading scientific articles, attend courses and live webinars to provide the best possible treatment to my patients. I recently attended a webinar hosted by an endodontist from the UK titled ‘Introduction to a Perfect Root Canal Treatment’ which was excellent as I can apply those skills into my daily practice. I follow dentists from all over the world on social media to learn different tips and tricks. As a healthcare professional, simply put, the learning never stops.

 

 

Why is the routine dental health check so important?

Changes to teeth happen on both macro and microscopic levels. As dentists we are trained to detect both during a routine dental health check. There are tests and tools at our disposal such as X-rays which can aid our diagnosis. During regular visits, the changes can be detected early and treated in the initial stages before they have had the chance to deteriorate. For example, the presence of tartar or calculus, a tenacious hard plaque deposit which develops slowly over time and is adhered strongly to the teeth which can cause gum disease cannot be removed at home with toothbrushing. It requires cleaning with our ultrasonic scaler performed at a dental clinic. Dentist can further evaluate your overall oral health and guide on how to improve it, if needed. In the long run, regular visits are more cost-effective and contribute to your overall general wellbeing.

 

Should I use mouthwash regularly?

 

The one thing that should not be regularly used in an oral care regime is Mouthwash. In simple terms, our mouth or oral cavity has both friendly and harmful bacteria -we want to lessen the harmful bacteria while encouraging the friendly bacteria. Unfortunately, mouthwash is 100% antibacterial and cannot distinguish between the two. Recent studies have shown that people who use mouthwash twice a day for a certain period are at 55% higher risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes. No concrete reason for this has been found yet.

The American Dental Association suggests the use of mouthwash for therapeutic use or symptomatic relief, for instance, in the treatment of bleeding gums under the prescription of a dentist. Toothbrushing, manual or electrical for 2 minutes twice a day and daily flossing is absolutely sufficient for maintenance of good oral hygiene without the use of any mouthwash.

 

 

 

 

Dr Brenda Barrett

Five Minutes with Dr Brenda Barrett, Clinical Director

 

1.Where did you start your dentistry career?

I started my dental career at the tender age of seventeen in the Dublin Dental University Hospital in Trinity College, way back in the last century! After graduating as a dentist in 1988, I worked in the UK for a few years and also attended the world-renowned Eastman Dental Hospital to do a post-graduate diploma in General Dentistry.

I acquired Pembroke Dental in 1993, which had an excellent reputation in Carlow Town and I have been trying to build on that reputation since!

 

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

I enjoy meeting my patients on a daily basis-many of whom I now consider friends. I am humbled by their trust in my skills and in Pembroke Dental as a team. I also like the buzz of building a great specialist and general dental team around me and enjoy the camaraderie of a positive group of dental professionals.

One of the drawbacks of dentistry as a career is the sedentary nature of the job, so in my spare time, I like activity-walking my lovely dogs, horse riding, cycling and dancing. I have recently joined a choir and warble as best I can amongst friends.

 

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

To prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks, I returned to Trinity College Dublin to complete a Masters in Clinical Dentistry in the Dublin Dental University Hospital in 2018. I am really proud of that achievement as it encompassed all the skills and knowledge I had slowly gathered over the years as a general dental practitioner.

 

4. You have won the Best Practice Irish Dentistry Awards won numerous occasions, explain as a winner what it took to win this award?

In a few words-Lots of hard work and dedication to our patients! We have worked hard over the years to build a great and dedicated team of dental professionals in Pembroke Dental who can offer the highest quality dentistry to our patients. We believe in giving the very best care, and attention to all who come to us and each member of the team is encouraged to give their utmost. That’s our motto- The patient’s best interest comes first!

 

5. How would you describe your team in Pembroke Dental?

The Pembroke Dental Team are special is so many ways- talented, dedicated to their patients, positive in their thinking and totally professional while being compassionate towards our patients. They really put the care of our patients first, and I am very proud to be part of this great team.