Why see a Specialist?
When you are considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child please ensure that the treatment is provided by a specialist orthodontist. A dentist cannot call themselves a specialist or an orthodontist unless they have their qualifications registered with the Dental Council of Ireland. This ensures that the person providing the treatment has completed the necessary years of specialist training in orthodontics and complies with EU and Irish legislation for specialist registration.
Jarlath Durkan | Specialist Orthodontist
Dr Jarlath Durkan graduated in dentistry from the Trinity College Dublin in May 1998. He then worked in Our Lady’s Hospital Crumlin and the Dublin Dental Hospital and completed the Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry in the Royal College of Surgeons in 2000.
After working in private practice he started a masters programme in orthodontics in 2001 based in Trinity College and recieved a Masters in Dental Surgery in 2004. He also is a member in Orthodontics of The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
In 2007 he opened Shannon Orthodontics with his wife Amy. They are living in Athlone with their 3 daughters. He enjoys all sports but golf and GAA in particular.
Amy Durkan | Practice Manager
As the practice manager Amy is responsible for the day to day running of the practice. She qualified as a dental nurse from the Dublin Dental University Hospital in 1998.
Amy then moved to Cork where she completed a Diploma in Dental Hygiene in 2001. After working as hygienist in private practice for several years she established Shannon Orthodontics with her husband Jarlath in 2007.
Amy took a career break when to look after their 3 children and in 2018 come back to work in the practice. When she has a spare minute she will be found out on her horse.
Anne Murphy | Orthodontic Therapist
Anne is the newest member of staff in Shannon Orthodontics but has over 20 years experience in dentistry and orthodontics in particular. Anne worked as a dental nurse in the UK before returning to Galway to work in a specialist orthodontic practice. She qualified as dental nurse in 1998 and had a certificate in Dental Radiography from University College Cork in 2013. Anne continued to work in orthodontics and received a Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy from Trinity College Dublin in 2017. We wish her many successful years providing orthodontic treatment in Athlone.
Ferena McGauran
Ferena McGauran joined us in Shannon Orthodontics in 2022. She is from Dublin originally and has worked for several years in general dental practices in the Midlands. Ferena has a Diploma in Dental Nursing from the Dublin Dental University Hospital. She has settled in very well and works between reception and in the surgery. She is friendly and always has time for a chat to reassure a nervous patient
Ciara Dunne | Orthodontic Assistant
Ciara is the youngest member of staff in Shannon Orthodontics and works as a dental nurse having completed her higher certificate in Dental nursing in 2018.
Ciara joined the practice in 2019 and also has an honours degree in Dental Practice Management and Oral Health Promotion from Athlone Institute of Technology. She received an award as best student when she graduated.
She is friendly, enthusiastic and has a great work ethic. She has a certificate in Dental Radiography
Laura Dunning
Orthodontic Therapist
Laura Dunning started in Shannon Orthodontics in 2014. She has a degree in Oral Health Promotion from Athlone Technical University. Initially Laura worked as a dental nurse but she completed a Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy from Trinity College Dublin in 2016. Laura works as an Orthodontic Therapist assisting in the provision of orthodontic treatment. She is also working in Athlone Technical University teaching dental nursing students. She has a certificate in Dental Radiography.
Belinda Kilmartin | Orthodontic Therapist
Belinda started in Shannon Orthodontics in 2015 and works as an orthodontic therapist. She trained as a Dental Nurse in the Dublin Dental Hospital graduating with a distinction in 2014. Belinda worked as a dental nurse for a few years before changing her career path. She received a Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy in 2019 from Trinity College Dublin and provides orthodontic care for patients in Athlone and Longford. She has a certificate in Dental Radiography
Sharon Casserly
Sharon came to work in Shannon Orthodontics in 2020. She has many years experience working in dentistry. Sharon worked in the Dublin Dental Hospital and has also worked in London providing training to student dental nurses. She left the dental industry for several years but returned in 2020. She works mostly on reception and is available to answer any queries you may have by phone, email or face to face.
Georgina West | Nurse and Treatment Co-ordinator
Georgina joined our team in January 2014. She received a Certificate in Dental Nursing from Trinity College Dublin in 2003 and has many years experience as a dental nurse working initially Dublin and then locally in Athlone.
In 2015, Georgina completed a certificate in Dental Radiography with distinction from Dublin Dental Hospital. She is very hard working and conscientious and is always ready to help out.
In Shannon Orthodontics Georgina has worked as a nurse in the past but now she mostly works on reception and as treatment coordinator. She meets with all of our new patients and helps them understand the benefits and risks of the treatment before they start.