LETTERKENNY — Dr Lidiia Dydyn of Blue Poppy Dentistry has been named Ulster’s Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year after helping a four-year-old non-verbal child receive urgent dental treatment without general anaesthesia.
The child’s mother noticed subtle jaw swelling and a reluctance to eat. After multiple clinics were unable to complete an exam because of the girl’s severe sensory sensitivities, the family feared general anaesthesia would be the only option.
Referred by a friend, the family visited Dr Dydyn. From the first phone call, the mother said, the practice felt different. Dr Dydyn greeted the child personally, crouched to her level and began with a simple hello — no gloves, no tools, no pressure. The initial visit focused on building comfort and trust.
Over two further sessions, Dr Dydyn introduced equipment slowly, used gentle explanations and involved the child in each step, the mother said. By the second appointment the girl allowed a full oral examination for the first time, revealing an infection and a baby tooth that needed extraction.
“It was the first time my daughter had ever accepted treatment in any medical setting,” the mother said. “I never imagined we could do this without trauma. Dr Dydyn didn’t just heal my child’s tooth, she helped her trust healthcare for the first time in her life.”
A graduate of Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Dr Dydyn works as a general dentist at Blue Poppy Dentistry and Orthodontics and is pursuing a postgraduate diploma in orthodontics. She specialises in aesthetic dentistry and aims to boost patients’ confidence in their smiles.
Dr Dydyn said she was grateful the mother shared the family’s story and hopes it will encourage others to seek dental care and build trusting relationships with dental teams.
The Colgate Caring Dentist Awards took place on Saturday 8 November 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, where Dr Dydyn received her award.