Pembroke Dental & Orthodontics, Wexford

Dr. Lucian Costin

Five Minutes with Dr. Lucian Costin, General Dentist

Dr. Lucian is a General Dentist working full time in our Bunclody and Wexford Clinics.

Lucian is a skilled Dentist with many years’ experience as a General Dentist with a focus on Endodontics. He is proficient in all aspects of General Dentistry for patients of all ages and backgrounds due to his extensive work as a dentist in his home country of Romania.

Dr Lucian’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 Lucian himself:

Where did you start your dentistry career?

I started my career in dentistry in 2014 in St. Spiridon Hospital in Iasi, Romania.

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

I am interested in all aspects of dentistry, especially Endodontic procedures.

In my spare time I like to swim and hike, there are many beautiful locations to explore in Ireland and I look forward to exploring more of Wexford and the surrounding areas. I am also very interested in history and when time allows I enjoy watching history documentaries.

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 always looking for new courses to learn new techniques and I also watch many lectures online on topics that I am interested in.

What is your top tip for Oral Health?

My top tip for Oral Health is to avoid drinking cola, fizzy drinks or any other refreshing beverage with sugar or artificial sweeteners. I would also advise patients to avoid adding sugar to their coffee or tea.

Dr. Daphne Halley

In 2018, Dr. Halley was awarded a clinical doctorate in oral surgery from the Dublin Dental University Hospital achieving first class honours and the Dean’s prize. During her 3 years of training Dr. Halley’s research focused on the surgical management of patients with antiresorptive osteonecrosis of the jaws. Dr. Halley has also been accepted as a Fellow of the Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland completing my FFD in oral surgery, and is registered as a Specialist Oral Surgeon with the Irish Dental Council. Dr. Halley currently holds a position on the Irish Oral Surgery Advisory Committee, and a teaching post at the Dublin Dental University Hospital.

Prior to this, Dr. Halley has worked in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery units in the Dublin Dental University Hospital, St James’s Hospital, Bristol Dental Hospital and Cardiff giving a strong foundation in the management and treatment of patients undergoing dentoalveolar surgery. Additionally, Dr. Halley worked in practice for a year after completing her undergraduate studies in Dentistry at Cardiff University.

Dr. Alba Urdaneta

Dr. Alba Urdaneta graduated top of her class from Dentistry at the Catholic University of Valencia in 2016. In 2020, Alba completed her Implant and Periodontal training to Masters Degree level, furthering her knowledge and skills in the area of dental implants and treatment of gum disease. She has been working singularly in this field of dentistry since the completion of her advanced training. Alba is committed to providing exceptional patient care to her patients.

Dr. Alba regularly attends courses and lectures to expand her knowledge and skillset. She specialises in placing Straumann implants, an internationally renowned and trusted brand of dental implants.

Alba will be treating patients for Implant and Periodontal treatment in our state-of-the-art Newbridge practice and our Wexford locations.

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 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.