ABOUT THE DENTAL DEPARTMENT

Our base is in the dental department, St Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny, and there are twelve other clinics around the County.

We are responsible for the dental health of all children up to 16 years old, special needs groups, and adults with medical cards. However,  we mainly concentrate on treating schoolchildren and people with special needs,  who can also be seen by our Senior Dental Surgeon (special needs) if necessary.

We see specific classes each year via the School Dental Inspection (SDI) scheme

The SDI scheme

Our dentists visit all the primary schools annually to examine children in specified classes. These children are prioritised for treatment according to their need, and most are then called into the clinics during the following year.

Signed consents are required for these inspections – these are organised through the school beforehand.

We see all children in Junior Infants, First and Sixth Class, and Special Classes.

The SDI inspection and treatment

The dentist gives a quick inspection and gives a grade depending on the urgency of the child’s needs. 

Junior infants are reviewed in the clinic soon after if the dentist notes a specific problem.

First and Sixth class children are called into the clinic throughout the year, the most urgent ones first according to the grade they were given.

At the first appointment in the clinic a full dental examination is carried out and if required further appointments are organised.

NB Please tell the dentist of any medical problems your child may have, or medicine they are taking, at the first opportunity.

Services for schoolchildren

We do most routine treatments like fillings, extractions and root treatments, and we put a heavy emphasis on preventive treatments such as fissure sealants (plastic coatings on molar teeth). As a general policy we do not fill baby (milk) teeth except in special cases where there would be a significant health gain.

Visiting specialists can carry out some more advanced treatments, and our dentists can refer other specialised cases outside our department if required.

Seeing patients outside the SDI scheme

Children can be seen outside these classes if they are in pain or if a parent/guardian, doctor or Public Health Nurse (for example) is worried about anything regarding their oral/dental health. Please phone the local clinic, and an appointment will be given at the earliest possible convenience.

Services for pre-school children

Although this age group does not receive regular treatment in our clinics, our oral health promoter and our hygienists run various preventive and educational schemes and campaigns. These are often in cooperation with the Public Health Nurses.

Orthodontic treatment

We are separate from the orthodontic department, although we work closely with them. Only certain children will be eligible to be treated by the orthodontic department. Our own role is to review and monitor eruption of your child’s teeth and if and when required refer to the Orthodontic Department. We only carry out a limited range of simpler treatments ourselves.

Services for Adults 

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) is a separate scheme for adult medical card holders (16 years and over) operated by private dentists. For information on the DTSS contact the Dental Department, St Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny, or call 07491 25591

CONTACTING US

For most purposes, and especially specific queries/concerns about patients, you should first phone the local dental clinic (numbers listed below).  More general queries (or if there is no-one at the local clinic on the day) can be dealt with by the main department in Letterkenny (074 9125591).

Letterkenny (074) 9125591 (main office)

Ballyshannon 071 9851300 

Buncrana 074 9361044

Carndonagh 074 9374251

Creeslough 074  9138200

Donegal Town (074) 9723857

Dungloe (074) 9521044 

Falcarragh (074) 9165157

Glenties (074) 9151659

Killybegs (074) 9731078

Lifford (074) 9141351

Moville (074) 9382735

Stranorlar  (074) 9131268