Oral health plays a crucial role in overall health, yet dental needs vary widely over a person’s lifetime and can change significantly due to medical conditions, according to a researcher at University College Cork (UCC).
The academic, whose work focuses on the links between oral and general health, said dental care cannot follow a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it must adapt to age, health status and individual circumstances.
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One example is her research with people living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Members of the CF community had long raised concerns about their oral health and the appearance of their teeth, but there was limited scientific evidence to guide care.
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Working with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland and the CF care team at Cork University Hospital, her UCC-based team carried out a Health Research Board–funded study. The research found that adults with CF are more likely to experience enamel defects, plaque build-up and gum inflammation. The findings were used to develop educational resources and practical recommendations for dentists treating CF patients.
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Her current work examines the process of dental certification for patients preparing for major medical procedures, such as hip replacements or cardiac surgery. In these cases, doctors may require patients to be declared “dentally fit” before treatment can proceed.
She said the process is often unclear. Dentists may not know exactly what medical teams require, while patients face added costs, time pressures and anxiety that surgery could be delayed. The research aims to build evidence that can improve guidance, clarify expectations and reduce unnecessary stress for patients.
The researcher said many of her research questions emerge from informal conversations with medical colleagues. The co-location of Cork’s dental hospital and Cork University Hospital allows for regular interaction with clinicians from specialties including cystic fibrosis care, stroke medicine, dietetics and geriatrics.
She traced her career choice back to transition year work experience in a dental practice, where she was drawn to the immediacy of helping patients. After studying dentistry in Cork and working in the UK and Galway, she completed a part-time PhD and specialist training in restorative dentistry, focusing on complex cases with severely damaged teeth.
While dentistry research often focuses on emerging areas such as oral microbiomes or regenerative therapies, she stressed the importance of addressing basic issues like tooth decay. She also highlighted the lack of up-to-date national data, noting that Ireland has not conducted a comprehensive oral health survey in around 25 years—a period marked by economic crisis, a pandemic and rising living costs.
Outside of work, she said family life is central. Her husband is also a dentist, and they have two young children. Travelling together is a favourite way to unwind.
