The clinic and the people in it

How the dental clinic in Cookstown started

Rachel Moore qualified in Belfast and spent six years in mixed practice in Omagh before taking on the building at 27 Loy Street in 2009. It had been a solicitor's office and before that a draper's, and the first year was as much about plaster and wiring as dentistry.

Peter joined in 2014 and started the Thursday evening clinic, which was meant to be a trial and is now the busiest list of the week. Anna came in 2018 and took over the children's side; Lauren does the hygiene work and Gemma runs everything that is not clinical, which is most of it.

Five people, one building, three surgeries. It has grown about as much as it is going to, which suits everyone here — the point of a practice this size is that the person you saw last time is the person you see this time.

Who you'll see

• Dr Rachel Moore Principal dentist Opened the practice in 2009. General dentistry for adults.

  I qualified in Belfast and worked in mixed practice in Omagh for six years before taking on the building on Loy Street.

  The thing I care most about is that people know what’s happening and what it costs before it happens. Nobody makes a good decision in a chair with a mirror in their mouth.

  BDS

• Dr Peter Hughes Associate dentist Runs the Thursday evening clinic until 8pm.

  I’ve been here since 2014. I take the late clinic on Thursdays, which suits people who can’t get time off during the day — most of my Thursday list are regulars I’ve seen after work for years.

  I do a lot of the crown and denture work in the practice.

  BDS

• Dr Anna Kowalczyk Associate dentist, children's lead Leads the children's side of the practice.

  I see most of the children who come through the door, and I trained further in paediatric dentistry after qualifying.

  A first visit with me is short and nothing happens in it. We count teeth, I let them hold the mirror, and they go home. If a child leaves thinking the dentist is boring, that is the appointment working exactly as intended.

  BDS, MFDS

• Lauren Currie Dental hygienist Cleaning, gum treatment and prevention.

  I do the scale and polish, and the longer gum treatment appointments.

  Most people are brushing well and missing the same two places. It’s rarely about effort. I’ll show you where yours are and you can stop worrying about the rest.

  Dip DH

• Gemma Watson Practice manager Answers the phone, and sorts out registrations.

  If you ring us, you’ll most likely get me.

  I can tell you whether we’re taking new patients today, how long the wait is, what an appointment will cost and whether you need to bring anything. If I don’t know, I’ll find out and ring you back rather than guess.