by Kate Heaney
A PASSION for dental health from an early age saw Letterkenny based dentist Dr Eileen McGlinchey, better known as Smiley Eileey, receive the Irish Dentistry’s Rising Star Award 2024.
The 34-year-old Ardara native was shocked to hear her name called out at the special ceremony in Dublin’s Mansion House on Saturday night of last week.
She was thrilled to be given such recognition by her fellow dentists.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Eileen explained that from an early age she was fascinated by good oral health, probably because her older sister used to send her flashing toothbrushes from the USA, where she had gone to study when Eileen was born.
This led Eileen, a newly qualified dental nurse in 2012, to develop a line of products aimed solely at ensuring good oral health for children even before their first tooth appeared.
They are aptly named Smiley Eileey and are on sale online and in pharmacies around the country.
“As a dental nurse, I could see there was very little for children to encourage good oral health. I did a degree in Oral Health Promotion and began developing products to encourage children to clean their teeth.
“I went around schools teaching children how to brush. I would get parents telling me their child hated the taste of toothpaste so I set about making good oral health for children fun,” she explained.
Eileen developed toothpaste dispensers that were childlike and fun, such as a cow or giraffe which spits out a measured amount of toothpaste.
She developed toothbrushes with an age-appropriate pre-set timer. Flashing lights, as in the Smiley Sonic toothbrush.
“Even before children get their first tooth we should be looking after their gums as well as when their first tooth appears. We have fun products to suit all ages. It is about trying to keep children interested in brushing their teeth. If children clean their teeth morning and night the will not need fillings,” she said.
Having lived in Letterkenny since 2008, Eileen got the chance to go back to University in Cork where she graduated as a dentist earlier this year and loves working with children.
“I know that some adults may have had a bad experience with a dentist, maybe as a child, but I would like to think that day is gone now,” she added.
On Saturday night last, she and partner Christopher Diver, a lecturer in ATU, knew she was a nominee but never expected to be given such an accolade by her peers.
“When they called my name I just sat there, dazed. It is lovely to get that recognition and be applauded for what I love doing,” she said.
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