Dr. Lucian Costin

County: Bunclody

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:

 

  1. Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

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

 

  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 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.

 

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

 

  1. 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. Akram Jasim

Five Minutes with Dr. Akram Jasim, Specialist Orthodontist

 

 

Selecting the right orthodontist is important. My name is Akram Jasim and  I am an orthodontist since 2005. I offer a wide variety of treatment options for adults and children ranging from modern cosmetic and near invisible orthodontic braces, Invisalign and lingual braces.

We ,together ,will discuss the options to determine which treatment solution is best suited for your specific life and orthodontic needs to attain your ideal result. Orthodontics can improve the smile of people of all ages and I treat children, teenagers and adults in a sympathetic and caring manner.

 

Where did you start your dentistry career?

I started my dental career in my home country of Iraq over 25 years ago now, working as a general dentist in the Ministry of Health. After a few years I moved into the educational field where I worked as a Clinical Instructor and lecturer to students studying Dentistry.

During this period, I followed my keen interest in the field of orthodontics by entering an orthodontic training programme and graduated with a master’s degree in Orthodontics three years later. My career continued in education, moving into lecturing orthodontics while gaining practical experience in private practice.

After many years teaching, I fulfilled my ambition to open my own private practice in General Dentistry and eventually Orthodontics alone. I moved to Ireland in 2016 with my family to work in Pembroke Dental as a specialist Orthodontist.

 

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

The most enjoyable thing about dentistry is the creation of a beautiful smile, bringing people’s dreams to reality. Many of my patients have told me that they avoid smiling and if they do smile, they try to cover and hide their teeth. I can often help with this embarrassment. After orthodontic treatment I can see patients smiling with confidence, some for the first time which is hugely rewarding for me, each and every time.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family playing table tennis and I am keen swimmer.

 

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

I attend orthodontic conferences and courses regularly. I have just returned from the Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI) Annual Meeting which I attend annually to share knowledge and experience with my orthodontic colleagues. My most recent attendance at an educational course was Carrierre Motion Applications “Carrierre in Practice, the way forward”-I found it very useful and now use these appliances in my practice.

 

4. Do you think you’ll still be interested in dentistry in ten years, Why?

Yes, I do. I enjoy dentistry and especially my area of expertise, Orthodontics. I am over 25 years working in dentistry and I am still curious about the latest dental developments. My dental career has also brought me to many different parts of the world-not many careers offer this opportunity. I could not imagine doing any other type of work and I expect to be doing this job until I retire. It is a very special career, getting to meet people from all walks of life and making their dreams come true. I work with my patients for a long time so lasting relationships are built.

 

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

There have been major changes in Dentistry in the last 10 years. A digital revolution has occurred and thankfully, Pembroke Dental is at the forefront of this. There are so many dental treatments now entering the digital age from crowns and bridges, implants and even in my field of orthodontics.

I am a Specialist Invisalign provider -these appliances are completely made digitally, from design to manufacture. We can now even show our patients the outcome of their treatment digitally before commencing treatment so patients can see what they will look like with straightened teeth before they start wearing their braces or appliances! That is a terrific move forward in my opinion. Digital dentistry is developing so fast that I expect it will be involved in most dental treatments soon.

Maria Kennedy

Maria studied Orthodontic Therapy at Trinity College Dublin in 2017-2018 and completed her practical training here in Pembroke Dental. She has gained a vast amount of experience across all procedures throughout her years in orthodontics, initially as an orthodontic nurse, then as an orthodontic therapist. Maria enjoys carrying out continuous training and keeping up to date with current courses and new methods.

She is a member of the Orthodontic Society of Ireland and a registered Orthodontic Therapist with the Dental Council of Ireland Reg No. 80TR2019. Maria is also a qualified Dental Nurse studying in Trinity College Dublin  (2013-2014) and is qualified in Dental Radiography Trinity College Dublin (2016-2017).

She ably assists our orthodontists in the care of our orthodontic patients and has a gentle and kind perspective for all.

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. Lina Shams

With special interest in Oral Surgery

 

 

Where did you start your dentistry career?

 

 

 After graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry in Egypt in 2011, I spent one year of postgraduate training in the University Hospital to further enhance my dental skills and knowledge. After that valuable year, I worked as a general dentist for 2 years in general practice .During this period I finished my Membership of the Royal College of Ireland [MFD] and decided that I would like to follow my interest in oral surgery.

 I joined the oral and maxillofacial surgery team in the Ministry of Health hospital in KSA[Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]. I gained a lot of specific experience in oral surgery and was awarded my postgraduate oral surgery diploma in 2017.

 I was then accepted to join the Master of oral and maxillofacial surgery training program back in Egypt and I continued to work in a private practice doing general dentistry as well as my hospital position until  I got the opportunity to work for Pembroke Dental.

 

 

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

 

I enjoy helping anxious patients to have their dental treatment without fear and try to meet their expectations of a healthy attractive smile. I get great satisfaction in fulfilling my patients expectations, be it providing the simplest or the most complex treatments-I do value feedback and continually try to improve my interactions with my patients to make their dental treatment comfortable and a pleasant experience.

In my spare time I like going out for a walk & exercising, also I like cooking and listening to different kinds of music.

 

 

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

 

I regularly attend courses and workshops to keep up to date and to improve my knowledge and skills. I am continuing my Masters training program in Oral Surgery and I read the latest research in different fields of dentistry.

 

 

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

 

Talk to your dentist, the right dentist will know that your nervousness can be an important barrier to confidence and health. Morning appointments will be better to help handle stress-we are all less tired. Limit all caffeine before your appointment because it can increase anxiousness. Do not worry, we now have many solutions to calm nervousness -from the simple, such as helpful supportive dental teams to full sedation options.  We need to take the time to talk to you about your needs and assess what is the right approach for you as an individual.

 

 

What is tooth sensitivity and why do I have it?

 

 Tooth sensitivity is pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimulations such as variations in temperature, hot or cold foodstuffs/drinks and sometimes sweet substances. It can be temporary or lingering, severe or mild in nature and can affect one tooth or several teeth-but one thing is certain, it can be very uncomfortable.

The most common causes can be gum recession or loss/thinning of the enamel outer layer of teeth which are typically due to either brushing too hard or grinding your teeth. But it can also  be due to dental caries and cavities which needs  immediate treatment so it is best to come in and visit your dentist for a dental health check to exclude any serious dental issues before trying any home remedies.

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.