Dr. Eileen McGlinchey has a reason to be beaming after graduating as one of Ireland’s newest dentists.

The Ardara native, now living in Letterkenny, received her dental degree from Cork University Dental School and Hospital on Friday.

Eileen’s journey to dentistry began in 2011 when she graduated as a dental nurse. Her passion for oral health soon blossomed, leading her to found Smileyeileey’s Oral Health Promotions in 2012. She furthered her education by completing a Bachelor of Science in Dental Practice Management and Oral Health Promotion in the same year.

Eileen returned to school in 2019 to pursue a dentistry degree at University College Cork.

Since 2012, she has advocated for good oral health, particularly in disadvantaged communities across Ireland. Her dedication is evident in the workshops she has provided to pre-schools, primary schools, and special needs schools nationwide.

Eileen’s infectious enthusiasm for oral health extends beyond the classroom. As the creator of the Smileyeileey Oral Health and Teething Range, she has made a line of products that uses a fun approach to encourage children to develop healthy dental habits.

Now that she has qualified, Eileen plans to continue with her workshops and bring her skills back home to begin practicing in the north west, where there is a high demand in the profession.

“It’s a very rewarding career,” Eileen says. “And with my background, I like to give people the skills and knowledge to look after their own oral health.”

Eileen is the daughter of Mary and the late Vincent McGlinchey, RIP.