Rathdrum practitioner wins national award for outstanding patient care

A Wicklow dentist has been hailed a lifesaver after he successfully diagnosed a patient’s throat cancer.

As a result, Rathdrum practitioner Dr James Turner has been named Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year – a patient nominated award that aims to reward dentists who have gone above and beyond normal patient care.

Dr Turner was nominated for the award by Mary Hallis, who credits her dentist with saving her life. She said: “Dr Turner is a very good dentist and so attentive. He takes the time to call me to see how I am. He played a major role in diagnosing my throat cancer, for which I will always be in his debt. I just wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. He has a great personality and is a great people person. I’m delighted he’s won this award, it’s richly deserved.”

As she nominated the winning dentist, Ms Hallis was the recipient of a holiday to the value of €5,000. Dr Turner said: “Mary has come through a very difficult time and I’m just delighted she’s in good health. Given the number and quality of the nominations for my colleagues around the country, I didn’t think I had any chance of winning.

So I’m just thrilled and I thank Mary for her nomination. I’m looking forward to seeing her in the coming days.”

There were also four regional awards, with Dr Turner picking up the Rest of Leinster award, Dr Ann Zwolinska the Dublin award, the Munster region was won by Limerick dentist Dr Aidan Higgins and the Connacht/Ulster winner was Galway’s Dr Vincent O’Connor.