Cork graduate Ciara Sutherland was named as the Scottish Dental Awards Dentist of the Year for 2017 at a recent awards ceremony in Glasgow.

Hosted by comedian and radio personality Des Clarke, the 2017 Awards was held at the five-star Glasgow Hilton and saw just under 500 guests come together to celebrate the very best the Scottish dental industry had to offer.

Ciara, who graduated with honours from Cork University Dental School in 2008, became the youngest winner of the Dentist of the Year award since the awards begin in 2012. After graduating, Ciara undertook cosmetic training from Professor Paul Tipton and in 2011 she began specialist training to earn membership to both the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners and the Royal College of Surgeons.

The judges were impressed with the amount of postgraduate training and further education she had amassed in her career so far . They said: “While clearly a driven and ambitious individual, her nomination also managed to convey her ability to provide a calm and gentle environment for her patients.

“From the testimonials submitted to support her nomination, it is clear she is held in high esteem by patients and colleagues alike. Her professionalism, outstanding patient care and attention to detail is mentioned numerous times and the warmth and depth of feeling was clear. The judges felt that she was the outstanding choice for Dentist of the Year.”

Ciara said: “I’m so thrilled. I love my job – and it’s so great to hear that my patients actually look forward to their visits to the dentist.

“Whether I’m working with a bride-to-be to get her perfect smile, helping a nervous patient or planning more complicated treatments, I really like that I get to know everyone in the chair.

“I’m delighted to see that by simply being kind to your patients, you can gain recognition. It’s also such a boost to get this award now, just a year after being back from maternity leave.

“It proves that being a mum of a toddler is totally compatible with progressing a career.”

Tags: Ciara Sutherland, Cork, Scottish Dental Awards, UCC