Local man Sean is crowned Dentist of the Year for 2018

A NORTHSIDE dentist had plenty to smile about after winning a top award in his field of expertise.

Dr Sean Ó Seachnasaí, whose practice, SOS Dental, is on Howth Road, Raheny, was named Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2018. 

Dr Ó Seachnasaí won the award for his treatment of a patient who was suffering from depression and totally lacking self-confidence, due to his appearance, after surviving stage 4 advanced cancer.

The judging panel praised Dr Ó’Seachnasaí, who also won the Dublin award, for his caring, hands-on approach to the treatment, especially “his ability to see the need to care for the patient’s entire mental, physical and dental health”.

A very popular winner, Dr Ó’Seachnasaí paid tribute to his wife Jan and members of his dental team before explaining what winning meant to him.

“Winning the Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Award 2018 has renewed my energy and confirmed my personal belief that caring dentistry consists of listening to and doing small things well, for many patients in the pursuit of their best oral health,” he said. 

“It also means examining their dental health, not in isolation, but in the context of their overall health care, now and into the future.”

The awards enable patients to nominate dentists who have provided them with dental care above and beyond their expectations.

In the nomination for Dr Ó’Seachnasaí, the patient recounted how he spent seven months in hospital after his last operation and had said his goodbyes to his wife and four sons under the age of 14. 

“That was the darkest day of my life, but by some kind of miracle, my prayers were answered and I started to put on pounds and my body started to heal.”

While he was delighted to eventually get home, Dr Ó’Seachnasaí’s patient faced other serious challenges. At this stage his teeth had nearly all fallen out and as a result he didn’t want to talk to people and began to isolate himself. 

When he was referred to Dr Ó’Seachnasaí from the Dental Hospital, he didn’t think he would be able to do anything for the way he looked or spoke.

However, Dr Ó’Seachnasaí put him at his ease immediately and he began to think there was more to life to come.

“Throughout my treatment Sean reassured me and gave me a wonderful feeling of self-confidence that I had lost long ago,” the patient said. 

“By talking, treating and understanding I gradually started to feel really good in myself and stand tall. There was not one time throughout my treatment I came home depressed, in pain or lacking confidence. I had a good smile, a new life and outlook thanks to Sean.”