About us

Principal Dentist – Dr. Tom Rodgers B.D.S.

Tom, the practice owner qualified from Queen’s University Belfast in 1995 and set up Blackrock Dental Surgery in 2007 after working as an associate dentist in Hollywoods in Dundalk for three years. Before moving to the Dundalk area he worked in general practice in Belfast, Strabane and Cardiff. Tom also completed a year working as an oral surgeon in the University Hospital Wales and Cardiff Royal Infirmary in Cardiff. He practices a wide variety of dentistry, including tooth extractions, fillings, root canal treatment, cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening, crowns, bridges, dentures, periodontal treatment, diagnosis and management of dental pain or toothache, emergency treatment and preventative dentistry. From his time in hospital he gained experience in surgical extractions, wisdom tooth extraction, oral medicine, diagnosis and treatment of lesions in the mouth, oral cancer and management of facial trauma.

He continues to attend post-graduate courses regularly to keep up to date with the latest technology, techniques and procedures in dentistry. In recent year Tom has developed an interest in digital dentistry and cosmetic treatments. He is an active member of the Irish Dental Association participating on the General Practitioner committee. Tom is also a member of the Irish Faculty of Primary Dental Care. Originally from Lurgan in Co Armagh, he has been living in Blackrock since 2004 with his wife and four children. A keen fan of Gaelic football, Tom has played for Armagh at minor, under 21 and senior level as well as winning a Sigerson cup with Queen’s University. He remains an active member of the GAA coaching with local club Geraldines GFC.

associate Dentist -Dr. Annie O’Connell Ba.Dent.Sc.

Annie Joined the practice in February 2020. Originally from Dundalk, Annie graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2011. After completing her vocational training in a busy NHS practice in Belfast, she then worked as a Senior House Officer in the Dublin Dental Hospital. Receiving further training in the dental care of children and adults with special needs, Annie worked in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, in St James’ Hospital, Mountjoy Prison, and in specialist clinics in the Dental Hospital.

Since then, she has worked in private practice in Dublin, focusing on helping nervous patients, young and old, have a positive dental experience. With a special interest in providing pain-free, cosmetic dentistry, Annie brings her calm, relaxed, and friendly manner to the dental surgery.

Outside of Dentistry, Annie is a keen musician and singer.

Associate Dentist- Dr Emma McCullagh B.D.S MJDF RCS(LOND)

Emma joined the practice in 2020. Emma graduating in from Queen’s University of Belfast in 1999 and has over 20 years experience working in General Dental Practices in Ireland and Australia. She does her utmost to provide a caring and comfortable dental experience and enjoys the variety that general practice brings and making the dental visit fun and interactive for children is especially rewarding. Emma enjoys improving smiles using modern, minimal-invasive techniques like tooth whitening and composite bonding which can be used to close gaps, align and reshape teeth. In 2010 Emma found a keen interest in facial aesthetic techniques and has trained extensively keeping abreast of new innovations and current approaches to facial rejuvenation. Emma offers anti-wrinkle injections, skin boosting treatments and facial filler techniques. Emma has been a dental volunteer in Philippines and Cambodia, and plans to one day volunteer with the Bridge2aid program in Tanzania.

aSSOCIATE DENTIST AND IMPLANTOLOGIST –

dR JOE MC eHILL B.D.S MFDS MAGDS RCSEd AdvDipImpDentRCS (Eng) FICD

We were delighted to welcome Dr Joe McEnhill to the practice in 2021. Joe has extensive qualifications and experience in surgical dentistry, Dental Implants and advanced cosmetic dentistry.

Joe qualified from Queen’s University, Belfast, in 2000. He then relocated to Manchester to continue his education and soon joined a leading central Manchester maxillo-facial unit enabling him to participate in major reconstructive surgery.
It was in this post that Joe gained his Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
Joe then returned to his native Enniskillen and shortly after, he graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in England with an Advanced Diploma in Implant Dentistry.

Joe has travelled the world in order to learn new techniques from many of the best dental educationalists. Many trips to the USA, Germany, Spain, Brazil, South Africa and the UK has enabled Joe to offer many advanced treatments such as implants, gum grafts, full mouth rehabilitations and digital smile design.

As recognition of the high standard of Joe’s treatment he was awarded the Best Young Dentist in Northern Ireland 2011. He has since received further recognition from the dental industry in 2017 when he was invited to become a Fellow of the prestigious International College of Dentistry.

Joe enjoys giving back to the profession and he currently runs an oral surgery course for dentists; he also mentors dentists in the field of oral surgery and with dental implant treatments.

Not one to sit still throughout the Covid pandemic he has continued developing his academic credentials. He has just successfully completed his Membership of Advanced General Dental Surgery diploma at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 2021.

Joe is now the representative for Northern Ireland in the Association of Dental Implantology for 2022-2024.

Associate Dentist – Dr Faye Rice B.D.S.

Faye qualified from Dundee University in 2015 . She joined the practice in July 2020 and has extensive experience in general dentistry with an interest in orthodontics.

Hygienist – Gemma Browne

Gemma began working at Blackrock Dental Surgery in August 2014. Gemma qualified as a Dental Hygienist from Trinity College, Dublin in 2005 and has extensive experience, having worked in numerous specialist and general dental practices. Originally from Dublin, She now lives in Dunleer with her family and works on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Receptionist and Practice manager- Gráinne McArdle

Receptionist/practice manager – Gráinne McArdle

Gráinne is the practice receptionist and has been with the practice since it opened. Gráinne has worked as a dental nurse and receptionist since 2001 and obtained her Dental Nurse qualification in 2004. Gráinne is from the area and lives locally. She will be happy to answer any queries you may have and arrange a suitable appointment.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Receptionist – Collette Rodgers

Collette is married to practice owner Tom and works on reception. She graduated from University of Ulster Jordanstown in Hospitality Management and has extensive experience in customer services..

Dental Nurse/receptionist – Róisín Kelly

Róisín joined the practice at the start of 2016 with 8 years of experience working as a dental nurse in dental practice. She achieved her nursing qualification in 2011 and achieved a further qualification in Oral health promotion in 2012..

Dental Nurse – Lorraine McKenna

Lorraine joined the practice in September 2017 and works as a dental nurse and receptionist. She began nursing in 2011 and gained her nursing qualification in 2013. Lorraine is also our dedicated implant nurse assisting in surgeries and liaising with our implant patients.

Dental nurse – Caroline McDonnell

Caroline achieved her Dental Nursing from DIFE in 2022. Caroline had worked in the practice during her training in DIFE and we were delighted for her to join the team after graduation.

Dental Nurse – Petrina CarroLL

Petrina joined the team in 2022 as a dental nurse with 10 years experience. She achieved her dental nursing diploma in 2014 and went on to gain a diploma in radiology also in 2017. She has quickly become an integral part of the team.