Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search



You are here People

Dr. Denise Mac Carthy
Associate Professor in Restorative Denti, Dental Science

Biography

Qualified from University College Cork (1977) with Bachelor in Dental Surgery. Worked in general dental practice in the United Kingdom and in South Australia, including a number of trips into the outback with the "Flying Dentist". House officer in Oral Surgery, Cork Dental Hospital (1979). Registrar in Oral Medicine & Periodontology in the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel (1980). Lecturer in Periodontology (1981) and senior registrar in Periodontology and Restorative Dentistry (1987) in Dublin Dental Hospital. Appointed Senior Lecturer-Consultant in Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology (1992) in Dublin Dental University Hospital. First woman appointed at Senior Lecturer-Consultant level in dentistry in Ireland. Awarded Fellowship in Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh (1983). Awarded Certificate of Consultant Training in Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Royal College of Surgeons (1991). Awarded Masters in Dental Science (1992) for research on the use of sustained delivery antibiotics to control chronic periodontal disease. Founder member of the Irish Society of Periodontology (1982) and President in 1989. Founder member of the Irish Division of the International Association for Dental Research (1984) and President of the Irish Division in 2002. Established the first teaching and training program for Dental Hygiene in Ireland in 1992. This was following several years of background lobbying, research regarding other programs and preparation of a detailed curriculum. Director of the Diploma Course in Dental Hygiene 1992-2006. Established the first clinic in Ireland for the dental care of Head & Neck cancer patients (1997) (Dental Oncology). Worked with various Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, ENT Surgery and Oral & Maxilo-facial Surgery units in Dublin and around Ireland to provide dental care for H&N Cancer patients. Founding member of Mouth, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland (MHNCAI) Group (2009). Lead planning group for Mouth Cancer Awareness Days in Dublin, 2010-2017 in co-laboration with the Irish Cancer Society, Dental Health Foundation, Irish Dental Association, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Cork Dental Hospital and H&N Cancer Survivors. Chair of MHNCAI Group 2014-2018. Member of the Cancer Prevention Committee, Irish Cancer Association. Member of the Advisory Committee on Head & Neck Cancer, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in Ireland. Director of Dental Undergraduate teaching in Periodontology (1991-2019). Director of the Dental Postgraduate Advanced Dental Science (core) course (1996-2012). Head of Division of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology (2011-2017).

Contribution to broader society:

As President of the Irish Society of Periodontology, I organized an information campaign in Ireland to introduce general dentists to periodontal screening examinations, highlighting the importance of a periodontal examination for every patient.

Established first Dental Hygiene program in Ireland 1992.

International Association for Dental Research, Irish Division - Founder Member 1983 and President 2001. Published History of the First Twenty Years of the Irish Division in 2003.

Established first dedicated treatment clinic in Ireland for provision of oral and dental care for Head & Neck Cancer patients in 1997.

Visited the Dresden Dental School as part of a DentEd project to align the curricula taught in dental schools throughout the EU (1999).

Established Mouth Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland Group (2009).

Submission to the Working Group for the 3rd Irish Cancer Strategy (2016-2026) which established for the first time the role of oral and dental care for the H&N Cancer patient (2015).

Secured funding for a new Associate Professor-Consultant post to provide oral and dental care for pre- and post-radiation Head & Neck cancer patients (2018). This was following reports and lobbying by myself and many colleagues since 1998.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Baijens L.W.J.and Laura W. J. Baijens, Margaret Walshe, Leena-Maija Aaltonen, Christoph Arens, Reinie Cordier, Patrick Cras, Lise Crevier-Buchman, Chris Curtis, Wojciech Golusinski, Roganie Govender, Jesper Grau Eriksen, Kevin Hansen, Kate Heathcote, Markus M. Hess, Sefik Hosal, Jens Peter Klussmann, C. René Leemans, Denise MacCarthy, Beatrice Manduchi, Jean-Paul Marie, Reza Nouraei, Claire Parkes, Christina Pflug, Walmari Pilz, Julie Regan, Nathalie Rommel, Antonio Schindler, Annemie M. W. J. Schols, Renee Speyer, Giovanni Succo, Irene Wessel, Anna C. H. Willemsen, Taner Yilmaz & Pere Clavé , European white paper: oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer, European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 278, 2021, p577 - 616 Journal Article, 2021

M.O'Connor, J.Waller, P.Gallagher, B.O'Donovan, N.Clarke, I.Keogh, D.MacCarthy, E.O'Sullivan, C.Timon, C.Martin, J.O'Leary, L.Sharp, Barriers and facilitators to discussing HPV with head and neck cancer patients: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework, Patient Education and Counseling, 103, (12), 2020, p2451 - 2459 Journal Article, 2020

Costello L, McNamara C, MacCarthy D, Periodontal disease as a manifestation of cyclic neutropenia: case report with a 34-year follow-up. , Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 66, (4), 2020, p195 - 200 Journal Article, 2020

Dineen DS; Collazo L; MacCarthy D, Oral health after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: two case reports., Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 65, (4), 2019, p208 - 210 Journal Article, 2019

Mac Carthy, D., Clarke, M., & O' Regan, M., An audit of the baseline dental status and treatment need of individuals referred to Dublin Dental University Hospital for a pre-radiotherapy dental and oral assessment, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 63, (5), 2017, p269 - 276 Journal Article, 2017

MacCarthy Denise, McAlister Conor, O'Sullivan Eleanor, Campaign for awareness of cancer of the head and neck in Ireland., British Journal of Oral and Maxilo-facial Surgery, 55, 2017, p213 - 214 Journal Article, 2017

Hayes M, Devine C, MacCarthy D, Quality of life following radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, International Association for Dental Research - Irish Division, University College Cork, March 2016, 2016 Poster, 2016

Carty O, MacCarthy D, Management of Pre-Radiotherapy H&N Cancer Patients (2012). , International Association for Dental Research - Irish Division, 2015, 2016 Poster, 2016

MacCarthy Denise, McAlister C, O'Sullivan E, Mouth, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Campaign in Ireland, Irish Medical Journal, 108, (1), 2015, p25 - 26 Journal Article, 2015 TARA - Full Text

Sultan Ahmed, Warreth Abdulhadi, Flemming Padraig, MacCarthy Denise, Does the dentist have a role in identifying patients with undiagnosed diabetes?, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 60, (6), 2015, p298 - 303 Journal Article, 2015

Coffey D, Doyle C, MacCarthy D, Knowledge and awareness of head and neck cancer in Ireland, International Association for Dental Research - Irish Division, Queens University Belfast, March 2015, 2015 Poster, 2015

Carty Orla, Walsh Emer, Abdelsalem Ahmed, MacCarthy Denise, Case report: drug-induced gingival overgrowth associated with the use of a calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine).l , Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 61, (5), 2015, p248 - 251 Journal Article, 2015

MacCarthy Denise, McAlister C, O'Sullivan E, Mouth, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Campaign in Ireland, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 60, (4), 2014, p164 - 164 Journal Article, 2014

Denise MacCarthy & Lia Mills (editors), Word of Mouth - coping with and surviving Mouth, Head and Neck Cancers, 1st, Dublin, Kazoo Independent Publishing Services, 2013, 1 - 218pp Book, 2013

Dental and oral health in, editor(s)Denise MacCarthy and Lia Mills , Coping with and surviving mouth, head and neck cancers. Word of mouth, Dublin, Kazoo Independant Publishing, 2013, pp63 - 70, [Wenda Thomas, Sarah Troute, Denise MacCarthy] Book Chapter, 2013

Sarah Brody & Denise MacCarthy, Understanding head and neck cancers, J Ir Dent Assoc. 2013 Jun-Jul;59(3):118-9., Irish Dental Association, June-July, 2013, 118, 119 Report, 2013 TARA - Full Text

MacCarthy D, Nunn J, Healy M, Stassen L, Gorman T, Martin B, Toner M, Clarke M, Dougall A, McLoughlin J, Kelly A, Waldron C, O Sullivan M, Doyle C, Flint S , Outcomes from the first mouth cancer awareness and clinical check-up day in the Dublin Dental University Hospital. , Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 58, (2), 2012, p101 - 108 Journal Article, 2012

Denise MacCarthy - Member of Head, Neck and Mouth Cancer Advisory Panel: Prof Conrad Timon, Prof Leo Stassen, Dr Ian Fraser, Ms Orla Young, Dr Eleanor O Sullivan, Dr Denise MacCarthy, Ms Fiona Bradley, Ms Naimh Killilea, Understanding Cancers of the Head, Neck and Mouth. Caring for people with cancer. , 1st, Dublin, Irish Cancer Society, 2012 Book, 2012

MacCarthy D, O Sulivan E, McAlister C, Healy C, Flint S, Toner M, Nunn J, Allen F, Gorman T, O Sullivan M, Stassen L, The development of mouth, head and neck cancer awareness in Ireland and results of Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2011. , Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 58, (2), 2012, p109 - 113 Journal Article, 2012

Microbiology and Cross Infection Control in, editor(s)Suzanne L Noble , Clinical Textbook of Dental Hygiene and Therapy , Blackwell Munksgaard , 2012, pp158 - 180, [O'Donnell MJ, MacCarthy D, Coleman D ] Book Chapter, 2012

MacCarthy D, Flint SR, Healy C, Stassen LF, Oral and neck examination for early detection of oral cancer--a practical guide., Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 57, (4), 2011, p195-9 Journal Article, 2011

Decuseara G, MacCarthy D, Menezes G, Oral cancer: knowledge, practices and opinions of dentists in Ireland., Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 57, (4), 2011, p209-14 Journal Article, 2011 URL

Periodontology, Robert Ireland, Oxford Dictionary of Dentistry, Oxford Univrsity Press, 2010, [Denise MacCarthy] Item in dictionary or encyclopaedia, etc, 2010

Abdulhadi Warreth, Najia Ibieyou, Denise MacCarthy , Bisphosphonates, oral implants and osteonecrosis of the jaw: a review and guidelines, Journal of Disability and Oral Health, 11, (4), 2010, p155 - 162 Journal Article, 2010

MacCarthy D, Omer O, Nunn J. , Intra-oral cancer - Part 2: oral and dental care for head and neck cancer patients, Cancerwise, 5, (2), 2006, p3 - 11 Journal Article, 2006

MICROBIOLOGY AND CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL in, editor(s)ROBERT IRELAND , CLINICAL TEXTBOOK OF DENTAL HYGIENE AND THERAPY, OXFORD, BLACKWELL MUNKSGAARD, 2006, pp181 - 207, [O'DONNELL MJ, MacCARTHY D, COLEMAN DC. ] Book Chapter, 2006

Omer, O, MacCarthy, D, Nunn, J, Cotter, E, Oral health needs of the head and neck radiotherapy patient: 2. Oral and dental care before, during and after radiotherapy, Dental Update, 32, (10), 2005, p578-80, 582 Journal Article, 2005 URL URL

Hobdell M, Sinkford J, Alexander C, Alexander D, Corbett E, Doyle C, Katrova L, Littleton P, MacCarthy D, McK Cherritt H, Schou L, Ming Wen F, Zhuan B. , Ethics. Equity and global responsibilities in oral health and disease, European Journal of Dental Education, 6, (3), 2002, p167 - 178 Journal Article, 2002

MacCarthy D, Working with a dental hygienist in Ireland, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 46, (4), 2000, p124 - 129 Journal Article, 2000

MacCarthy, DJ, Periodontal Diseases-A Review, International Journal of Clinical Medicine - Modern Medicine, 27, (10), 1999, p55 - 65 Journal Article, 1999

McCartan BE, MacCarthy DJ, Anti plaque mouthwashes: II Side effects and potential health hazards, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 42, (1), 1996, p6 - 6 Journal Article, 1996

MacCarthy DJ & McCartan BE, Anti plaque mouthwashes: I Efficacy and modes of action, journal of the Irish Dental Association, 42, (1), 1996, p3 - 5 Journal Article, 1996

MacCarthy D, Claffey N, Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is associated with attachment loss, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 18, 1991, p776 - 779 Journal Article, 1991

MacCarthy D J, Controlled drug delivery for the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis, Trinity College Dublin, 1991 Thesis, 1991

MacCarthy D, Claffey N, Fibrous hyperplasia of the gingiva in organ transplant patients, Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 37, (1), 1990, p3 - 5 Journal Article, 1990

Deasy P, Collins A, MacCarthy D, Russell R. , Use of strips containing tetracycline hydrochloride or metromidazole for the treatment of advanced periodontal disease, Journal Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, 41, 1989, p694 - 699 Journal Article, 1989

Collins A, Deasy P, MacCarthy D, Shanley D, Evaluation of a controlled release compact containing tetracycline hydrochloride bonded to the tooth for the treatment of periodontal disease, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 5, 1989, p103 - 114 Journal Article, 1989

Shanley DB, Hobdell MH, MacCarthy D, Efficacite des methods de traitement paradontal, J Parodontal, 4, 1985, p45 - 54 Journal Article, 1985

Mairead O'Connor, Jo Waller, Pamela Gallagher, Ivan Keogh, Denise MacCarthy, Eleanor O'Sullivan, Conrad Timon, Cara Martin, John O'Leary, Linda Sharp, Understanding health professionals' experiences of discussing HPV with head and neck cancer patients, EHPS Conference , Galway, Ireland, August 2018 Conference Paper,

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

MacCarthy Denise, Mouth cancer awareness - Focus on oral health in disadvantaged communities, 14 September 2017, 2017, Dublin Dental University Hospital Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2017

O'Regan Esther, MacCarthy Denise, Oropharyngeal cancer and human papilloma virus, 28 June 2017, 2017, Dublin Dental University Hospital Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2017

Denise MacCarthy, Mouth, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness (MHNCA) in Ireland, International Society for Maxillo-facial rehabilitation, Belgrade, Serbia, May 2016 Conference Paper,

Denise MacCarthy, Oral Care for the Mouth Head & Neck Cancer Patient, Irish Dental Hygienists Association Annual Conference, Dublin, November 2015 Conference Paper,

Denise MacCarthy, The Role of Dental Care in Mouth, Head and Neck Cancer , World Head and Neck Cancer Day, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, July 2015 Conference Paper,

Denise MacCarthy, Orla Carty, Breda Martin, Audit of H&N cancer patients comparing referral patterns and dental extractions, International Association for Dental Research, Irish Division, University College, Cork, November 2013 Poster,

Research Expertise

Description

Periodontology. Undergraduate education, including teamwork. Dental and Oral care of the head and neck cancer patient.

Recognition

Memberships

International Association for Dental Research, Irish Division. Founder member. 1984 – Present

Irish Society of Periodontology. Founder member 1982 – Present

International Society for Maxillofacial Rehabilitation 1999 – present

Irish Dental Association 1990 – present

Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh 1983 – present

Mouth, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland (MHNCAI) Group. Founder member (2009) and Chair (2014-2108). 2009 – present

Cancer Prevention Committee of the Irish Cancer Society 2016 – present

Head & Neck Cancer Advisory Committee with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) 2016 – Present

British Society of Periodontology 2016 – present