DR Miriam Grady of Grady Family Practice, Ballina, has been announced the Connacht Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year 2022. Dr Grady was recognised for the extensive care and empathy shown to one of her longtime patients who was diagnosed with breast cancer. The 38-year-old patient says that she has been on ‘quite the journey’ with Dr Grady who has always been so obliging to her. In nominating Dr Grady, she said: “In 2016, I received the devastating news that I had stage four breast cancer. The day I came out of hospital, I was in excruciating pain with one of my teeth and I went straight to Miriam’s practice. She opened her practice especially for me and treated my tooth. She has always been kind, caring and understanding to me – she knew the last thing I needed was toothache after receiving such a diagnosis.

“Miriam is always checking in on me, and not just for my teeth but for me as a person. Last February I was really suffering with side effects from my medication and Miriam knew that I needed more than dental care to boost my mood. She helped me plan my husband and I’s long overdue honeymoon, directing me where to book it and was on the other end of the phone to answer any questions. She even organised
a special Mass for me and my husband in Rome. “It’s not the fi rst time Miriam has gone above and beyond. As I teenager I was on medication which played havoc with my teeth, but Miriam was there to sort everything and always there to listen in my hour of need. She also came to my aid the week before my Leaving Cert when I had to have a root canal on my front tooth.”

The annual Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year awards recognise dentists that have provided dental treatment and care over and above the call of duty, often with transformative effects, as nominated by patients and members of the public. The four-person judging panel were especially impressed that this was not an isolated incident and that, in fact, Dr Grady had frequently gone above and beyond for this patient. Now in its 15th year, the Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year Awards 2022 celebrate dentists in their local communities who have provided dental treatment and care that has gone over and above for their patients. There are six 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.

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