Advancing Oral Health in Cystic Fibrosis
About Us
The Dublin Dental University Hospital has been in Lincoln Place, Dublin 2 since 1899.
Over the last 116 years the hospital has evolved to meet the needs of its patients and students by developing new facilities, introducing new services and building new relationships to provide the best possible dental service to the people of Ireland.
The Dublin Dental University Hospital is the major dental teaching hospital in Ireland, undertaking the training of postgraduate and undergraduate dental students, student dental nurses, dental technicians and dental hygienists. Prior to 1980 little, if any, original research was carried out at the Hospital. The Hospital has developed research capacity in recent years. Dublin Dental University Hospital participates in interdisciplinary research projects and industrial collaborations with real potential for health gain. Research activities are coordinated and inline with our mission objectives.
In all, a dental team of around 250 staff work in the hospital.
The Dublin Dental University Hospital is governed by the Dublin Dental Hospital Board. This is a Statutory Body appointed by the Minister for Health. The Hospital is funded by the Department of Education and Skills (50%) as well as the Department of Health (25%) and the remaining 25% of income is self generated.
Cork University Hospital
Cork University Hospital is a specialist centre for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) services, both adult and paediatric, in the south West of Ireland. Physiotherapists who specialise in CF work as part of the CF Multidisciplinary Team.
Specialist Services
The physiotherapist provides inpatient and outpatient services for PWCF (people with Cystic fibrosis).Outpatient services include day unit reviews, clinic visits, annual assessments and pulmonary rehabilitation. When indicated, the physiotherapist will provide home visits to PWCF.
Physiotherapy management includes nebulisation therapy, airway clearance, posture and musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, exercise testing and prescription of individual Home Exercise Programmes. All PWCF are linked in with either the paediatric or adult team on diagnosis.
Electronic Dental Record
The Hospital rolled out the full implementation of Salud, the clinical management system, to most clinical areas at the beginning of 2010. Implementation has been successful and we continue to work with the supplier to improve the quality of the project. The roll out has allowed for the capture of all clinical activity.
Meet the Research Team
We are a dedicated team of researchers from Cork and Dublin, united in our commitment to improving oral health for those living with Cystic Fibrosis.
Our group is spearheaded by experienced dentists and includes esteemed CF specialists, consultants, dieticians, and patient advocates collaborating closely with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Our work is fueled by the generous support of the Health Research Board, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, and the CiSA funding initiative from University College Cork. Together, we strive to advance care and provide vital resources to the CF community.
The research team are deeply appreciative to all of the people with cystic fibrosis who worked with us in the past and who continue to work with us to improve the oral health of the CF community.
Dr Fiona O’Leary is a co-investigator on the Oral Health in Cystic Fibrosis project. Her research focuses on dental caries and developmental enamel defects in people with CF. She also has a particular interest in the importance of oral health certification prior to undergoing solid organ transplantation and starting bone targeted therapies.
Go To Fiona O’Leary Orcid
Dr Niamh Coffey is a co-investigator on the Oral Health in Cystic Fibrosis project. Her research focuses on periodontal (gum) disease and oral hygiene in people with CF, as well as the underlying mechanisms of this. Her research has also focused on the impact Oral Nutritional Supplements can have on the oral environment.
Go To Niamh Coffey Orcid
Dr Martina Hayes is a Restorative Dentist. She has an interest in looking at the relevance of oral health in the wider context of general health conditions. Her ambition is to increase awareness of the important of good oral health among people with Cystic Fibrosis and their healthcare team, and also to increase knowledge about Cystic Fibrosis among dental professionals.
Go To Martina Hayes Orcid