Top award for Roscrea dentist

Dr Sarah Rymer has been named the 2024 Munster winner of the Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Award for the humane and caring manner she showed to a husband and wife who attended her surgery.

The female patient, a woman in her 60s, arrived at Dr Rymer's practice in severe pain from a wisdom tooth and deeply traumatised by her childhood experiences with a dentist.

Terrified and expecting the worst, she was instead met with patience, compassion, and exceptional care.

After a painless tooth extraction, the patient’s life began to change. In her own words: “I was expecting the horrors of my youth, but Dr Rymer was simply amazing. By the next day, I didn’t even need pain relief.”

This positive experience encouraged the patient’s husband, who had avoided dental care for over 40 years, to seek treatment. He received upper dentures and lower teeth treatments, transforming not only his oral health but also his confidence.

The patient praised Dr Rymer for her kindness and skill, noting: “Dr Rymer’s care didn’t just end my pain – it changed our lives.”

For her exceptional ability to provide comfort and rebuild trust in dentistry, Dr Rymer serves as a shining example of the profession's profound impact on patients’ lives.

Awards

Now in its 17th year, the Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Awards 2024 celebrate dentists in their local communities who have provided dental treatment and care that has gone over and above for their patients.

There are eight award categories, including the overall Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year, Dental Team of the Year, and winners from each of the four provinces, as well as a Dublin winner.

Hosted by the Irish Dental Association and title sponsor Colgate, this year saw almost 1,000 nominations received from dental patients and their families all over the country.

The winners were announced at a gala awards ceremony that took place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin on Saturday night.

Speaking at the awards, the President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Rory Boyd, congratulated all the winners and nominated dentists.

“Each year, we’re inspired by the incredible impact dentists and their teams have on their patients' lives. The Caring Dentist of the Year Awards provide the perfect stage to celebrate these heartwarming stories.

“What makes these awards truly unique is that the nominations come directly from the patients themselves, reflecting their deep gratitude and appreciation. Congratulations to Dr Rymer and all our winners and nominees for their remarkable achievements and the extraordinary care they bring to their communities every single day.”

Rukiya Ibrahim, Marketing Director, Colgate Palmolive, has paid tribute to the patients who share their very personal stories. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the patients who shared their stories and took the time to nominate their dentists. Your voices make these awards truly meaningful. At their core, these awards celebrate the patients and the exceptional care they’ve received. We’re thrilled to once again support this inspiring programme and shine a spotlight on these incredible experiences."