Meet The Team

Our Team

The National Implant Centre is a collection of Dentists, Hygienists and Nurses. They are dedicated to providing the finest dentistry in a unique, relaxing, friendly, safe and sterile environment. We believe every individual deserves the best experience possible and we look forward to serving you!

Dentists & Specialists

Dr. Billy Waters

Dr. Billy Waters

BSc, HDipAppSc, BDS, MFD (RCSI), MSc (Implant Dentistry)

Billy graduated from Dentistry in 2004 with first class honours. Since then he completed postgraduate dental studies and was awarded and MFDS by the Royal College of Surgeons and a Masters in Implant Dentistry at the University of Warwick in 2011. He operates a multi-disciplinary dental practice and since he graduated in 2004 he continues to work as a part time clinical tutor  at the Cork University Dental School and Hospital.  Billy clinically splits his time between Apple Wellness Centre and the NIC in the Cork Dental Clinic.

Education:

  • Masters Degree in Dental Implantology (University of Warrick, 2011)
  • Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (Royal College of Surgeons, 2009)
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery (University College Cork, 2004)
  • Higher Diploma in Applied Science (University College Cork, 1999)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (University College Cork, 1998)

Areas of Expertise or Speciality:

  • Dental Implants
  • Oral Surgery

Philosophy:

  • Waters philosophy is simple: he is committed to providing you with high-quality, state-of-the-art dental care and to make your visit to Dental Wellness as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. We provide an atmosphere for our patients to make positive choices for their dental health. We are consistently working to improve our technical skills, with a strong commitment to continuing education.

Personal Interests:

  • He enjoys keeping fit, fly fishing and looking after his family.

Dr Suzanne Kennedy-O’Shea

Education:

  • Batchelor of Dental Surgery – UCC -2019.
  • Batchelor of Science in General Nursing- UCC 2007.
  • Diploma of Primary Care Dentistry- RCSI 2020.

Philosophy:

  • Suzanne is committed to making her patients feel comfortable and having a pleasant experience when coming to the clinic. She strives to provide an atmosphere for her patients to encourage them to make positive choices for their dental health . She is consistently working to improve her technical skills, with a strong commitment to continuing education.

Personal interests:

  • Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family and keeping fit by running, playing squash and most recently has started playing tennis!

Dr. Elizabeth Galvin

BDS, NUI

Elizabeth completed her dental degree in University College Cork in 1997. Following graduation, she worked in general practice in England and Ireland, providing a wide range of care to her patients in the field of restorative, prosthetic, paediatric and oral surgery. Elizabeth received a certificate in removable prosthodontics from Bristol University in 2009 and was nominated for sensodyne dentist of the year in 2012.
Liz is an integral part of the Apple Wellness Team.

Education: 

  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery National University of Ireland BDSNUI 1997
  • Postgraduate Diploma Prosthetics Bristol University 2009

Areas of Expertise: 

  • Elizabeth has worked in general dental practice in England for 6 years and in Ireland for the past 14 years, providing a wide range of care to her patients in the field of restorative, prosthetic paediatric dentistry and oral surgery. Elizabeth has attended lectures and courses across the spectrum of dentistry as part of her continuing education over the past 20 years.

Philosophy:

  • Elizabeth philosophy is to provide care and education to her patients that ensure the surgery is a relaxed and positive e patience for her patients.

Personal Interests:

  • Elizabeth is married with three children and enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle with her husband and family.

Dr. Ciara Noonan

BDS, NUI, MFDS

Ciara qualified as a dentist in UCC in 2010. After working in a private practice in London she returned to Cork in 2012. She then completed a post as a Senior House Officer at Cork Dental Hospital. As part of the Oral Surgery team in the hospital, she gained vast experience of surgical techniques in dentistry. She has also successfully completed her MFDS examinations with the Royal College of Surgeons. Ciara clinically splits her time between Apple Wellness Centre and the NIC in the Cork Dental Clinic.

Education:

  • BDS NUI MFDS

Areas of Expertise or Speciality:

  • Registrar in Oral Surgery

Philosophy:

  • Focus on preventative dental care

Dr. Divya Sweeney

BSc (UniMelb), BDS(NUI)

Joined the team in May, 2021.
Divya graduated from Dentistry in 2018 with honours having received the Henry Schein award for Endodontics and the NUI Dr H H Stewart medical scholarship. Since then, she has completed the basic and advanced course in anti-wrinkle injections and is currently completing her post graduate diploma in aesthetic and restorative dentistry. She is starting her Masters in Implant Dentistry in the University of Bristol in 2023 and currently works with Dr Billy Waters on implant cases. She works full time in the NIC in Cork Dental Clinic.

Education

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry (Fresh Dental Institute by Dr Monik Vasant , 2023)
  • Advanced Course in Botulinum Toxin (Anti-Wrinkle Injections) (London School of Facial Aesthetics, 2019)
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery (University College Cork, 2018)
  • Bachelr of Science (University of Melbourne, 2012)


Areas of Expertise or Speciality:

  • Oral Surgery
  • Implant Dentistry
  • Cosmetic Dentistry


Philosophy

Divya’s philosophy is to provide all rounded high quality dental treatment to all her patients. She is committed to providing the best care to her patients, taking her time to ensure that her patients feel at ease during their treatment. She believes in continual education and improving her skills to keep up to date with the current techniques in dentistry.

Personal Interests:

In her free time, Divya loves hill walking, gardening, sea swimming and boating.

Dental Hygienists

Grace Young, RDH

Senior Dental Hygienist

Joined the team in 2004
Clinically Grace splits her time between Apple Wellness Centre, where she is senior Hygienist, and the NIC in the Cork Dental Clinic in Ballincollig.

Education:

  • Honours Diploma in Dental Hygiene (2000)
  • Castellini award for Best Clinical Exam 2000

Areas of Expertise or Specialty:

  • Prevention and treatment periodontal disease.
  • Implant maintenance.

Philosophy

  • Grace’s main aim is working with the patient to achieve high standards of oral care with the goal being a symptom free, healthy and beautiful smile. Grace finds her work as Dental Hygienist professionally fulfilling because it has a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives.

Personal Interests: 

  • Grace is a keen sportswoman with cycling being her main sport. She races competitively, representing Ireland at an international level and is now one of the top amateur female cyclists in Ireland.  Grace also likes hiking, trail running and beach walks with her dog Elbee.

Bernie Buckley, RDH

Dental Hygienist

Bernie joined the team in January 2016
Clinically, Bernie treats patients at the Apple Wellness Centre.

Education

  • HSE approved Certification to provide First Aid Training and assessment with ITG Instructor Training LTD
  • City & Guilds Teaching Certification ( PTLLS )
  • Hons Dipolma In Dental Hygiene
  • City & Guilds Hons Certification In Business & Computing

Areas of Expertise or Specialty

  • Prevention of Periodontal Disease
  • Treatment of Patients with Dental Anxiety
  • Management of Treatment planning & Oral Hygiene Instruction & Dietary Advice

Philosophy

  • Bernie is a high achiever always striving to succeed at any new challenge with a willingness to give one hundred percent to any new role that presents itself. She strives to make each patients smile the best it can be.

Personal Interests

  • Bernie loves Yoga practice and is interested in Yogic philosophies / mental and physical health and wellbeing. Bernie also enjoys Reading, Art / crafts and design, horticulture, music and playing the piano.

Aine Neary

Dental Hygienist

Joined the the team in January 2022

Education 

  • Honours Diploma in Dental Hygiene 2018 UCC  (Kin award for highest clinical grade)
  • Higher Cert in Dental Nursing 2015

Areas of Expertise 

  • Oral Hygiene Education
  • Periodontal Disease Maintenance
  • Gentle approach when treating patients

Philosophy

  • Aine keeps up to date with new developments by regularly attending conferences to ensure her patients have the most up to date treatment and information.  She is passionate about oral hygiene education and is dedicated to motivating patients in maintaining good oral care at home.

Personal interests

  • Aine enjoys walking Yoga and keeping fit. She also enjoys travel and socialising with her friends.

Sonya Cronin, RDH

Dental Hygienist

Sonya joined the team in May 2016.
Clinically, Sonya treats patients at the National Implant Centre in Ballincollig.

Education

  • Sonya graduated as a Dental Nurse in 2009 from Cork University Dental School and Hospital. After spending a year dental nursing in a specialist clinic in Australia, she was inspired to further her studies from working closely with a Periodontist.
  • She graduated with Honours as a Dental Hygienist in 2014 from Cork University Dental School and Hospital.
  • She has a keen interest in periodontal disease treatment and implant maintenance. She especially encourages nervous patients to attend, as her understanding and helpful nature makes for a pleasant experience.
  • In 2015 she was a monthly contributor to Irish Dentistry Magazine, and regularly attends dental conferences and lectures.

Personal Interests: 

  • Outside of work, she enjoys keeping fit.

Dental Nurses

Sophie Aherne, RDN

Sophie Ahern, RDN

Dental Nurse

Joined the team in March 2016

Education:

  • Diploma in Dental Nursing, University College Cork (2015)

Areas of expertise or specialty:

  • Certified in radiology
  • Implantology
  • Oral surgery
  • IV sedation

Philosophy:

  • Sophie brings a fun, efficient and calming ambience to the surgery environment.

Personal interest:

  • In her free time, Sophie enjoys charitable work and often helps to raise money for the homeless in Cork City. She also enjoys travelling and socializing with friends.

Katie Cleary, RDN

Dental Nurse

Joined the team May 2021

Education: 

  • Diploma in Dental Nursing, University College Cork( 2016)

Areas of expertise or speciality: 

  • Certified in basic life support - AED and CPR
  • Oral surgery
  • Nervous patients
  • Invisalign

Philosophy:

  • Katies philosophy is to ensure all patients have a pleasant experience in the dental surgery. From meeting them in the wellness area to putting patients at ease during treatment. Katie has a very calming manner, which helps add to the relaxing dental experience.

Personal interests: 

  • In her spare time, Katie enjoys playing gaelic football for her local GAA club. She is also a qualified Ladies gaelic football referee and enjoy reffing underage games.

Amy Stuart

Dental Nurse

Joined the team January 2023

Education:

  • Diploma in Dental Nursing, University College Cork (2013)
  • Medical/Dental Administration (2011)

Areas of expertise:

  • Certified in basic life support
  • Implantology
  • Oral Surgery
  • Prosthodontics

Philosophy:

  • Amy’s philosophy is to provide a  very high standard of Nursing to create a calming atmosphere ensuring a great patient experience.  Amy believes Knowledge, Organisation and preparation are all important in her role as a Dental Nurse. She believes empathy and understanding are key in providing quality care to patients putting them at ease.

Personal Interests:

  • In her free time, Amy is passionate about personal development enjoys reading and attending courses.  Amy likes to keep active enjoys the gym, Hiking and swimming.