Dr Colm O’Loghlen of Bridge Street Dental Practice, Tralee has been announced as this year’s Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021.

Dr O’Loghlen was recognised for the compassionate treatment and exceptional clinical skills he provided to a traumatised teenager after the teen lost his two front teeth in a face-first fall from a wall.

The Tralee dentist was nominated by the 15-year-old’s mother who put a call out on social media after being told that there was no dentist available in the local hospital to treat her son. Thankfully, Dr O’Loghlen answered her call.

“My son was holding his two front teeth in his hands, and we felt hopeless,” the boy’s mother said. “It was clear that he had done severe damage to his face and teeth.”

By this time, it was late on a Saturday night and her son was becoming increasingly distressed. Dr O’Loghlen responded and told the mother and son to meet him at the surgery immediately. There, despite the stitches in the boy’s lips and significant swelling on his face, Dr O’Loghlen managed to re-implant the two front teeth successfully.

“When we arrived at the surgery that night, my son was distraught. But Dr O’Loghlen quickly put us at ease. His calm demeanour reassured us that we were in safe hands, and we are sincerely grateful for the help we got that night, and the care we still receive.

“Dr O’Loghlen has not only helped to restore my son’s teeth, but he has also restored his confidence too. As a mother, I cannot thank him enough.” 

The annual Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year awards recognise dentists that have provided dental treatment and care over and above expectations, often with transformative effects, as nominated by patients and the public.

As well as winning the overall honour, Dr O’Loghlen was also announced as the regional winner for Munster.

Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Awards

The Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Awards 2021 were held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Saturday night. The aim of the awards to is give patients a platform to celebrate the dentists in their local communities who have provided dental treatment and care that has exceeded expectations.

Hosted by the Irish Dental Association and title sponsor Colgate, this year saw almost 1,000 nominations received from dental patients and their families all over the country.

This year’s winners are:

• Overall winner and Munster Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021: Dr Colm O’Loghlen, Bridge Street Dental Practice, Tralee, Co Kerry
• Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021, Dublin: Dr Irene Lavin, Navan Road Dental Practice, Dublin 7
• Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021, Rest of Leinster: Dr Lisa Lucey, Lucey Dental, Greystones, Co Wicklow
• Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021, Connacht-Ulster: Dr Bernadette Fee, Fee Dental, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
• Colgate Caring Dental Team of the Year 2021: Ballina Dental Practice, Ballina, Co Mayo
• Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2021, Special Recognition Award: Dr Fionn Murphy, Colm Smith Dental, Cootehill, Co Cavan

Comment from the President of the Irish Dental Association

Speaking at the awards, the President of the Irish Dental Association Dr Clodagh McAllister said that there is a wonderful story behind every nomination, which highlights the important relationship between patient and dentists in the community.

“We congratulate all of our winners and nominees today and celebrate with them their achievements.

“Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the dental professional has continued to show a dedication, resilience, and determination in providing exceptional standards of care that has had, as proven by all this year’s winners and nominees, transformative effects on the patients being cared for.

“What makes the Caring Dentist of the Year awards so special is that it is patients telling their personal stories and, in doing so, shining a spotlight on the incredible commitment and care that dentists are providing to patients in communities across the country every day – very often going over and above the call of duty.”

Comment from Colgate

Jonathan White, Professional Oral Care Leader for North Europe at Colgate described the Awards as a celebration of exceptional patient care.

“Each year we are blown away by the enthusiasm of patients to share their personal stories. It is a wonderful reflection on the care they receive from the dental profession, whose willingness to go over and above shows how strong of a community link exists between dentists and their patients. We would like to congratulate all the award winners and nominees.”