Niamh Coffey

Dr. Niamh Coffey is a Senior Lecturer in Restorative and Primary Care Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where she is module co-ordinator for the Clinical Dental Practice module, and Lead for Simulation. With over 11 years of experience spanning clinical and academic roles, Dr. Coffey's career is dedicated to bridging the gap between systemic and oral health. Her research focus integrates these two fields, and she has earned several accolades for her work, including the Sir Wilfred Fish Research Prize, the John Zamet Prize in Periodontal Research and the IADR Dental Health Foundation Prize.

Dr. Coffey received her MFDS from the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow in 2015 and subsequently completed her PhD at University College Cork (UCC), exploring the prevalence of periodontal disease and oral hygiene among adults with cystic fibrosis. She is currently conducting research into maternal oral health, its impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, and its relationship with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Other areas of research include the oral health of psychiatric inpatients, and the relationship between periodontitis and sarcopenia. Her research has been published in highly ranked journals, and she has presented her findings at numerous international conferences.

As an educator, Dr. Coffey has many years of experience teaching dental professionals at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has supervised multiple Master's students to successful completion and is currently an examiner for MRes students, and for the Irish Dental Council Overseas Examination. She is involved in the setting and examination of various dental assessments at an undergraduate level. Her clinical practice as a general dental practitioner in County Cork ensures she maintains strong patient engagement while honing her practical skills.

Dr. Coffey is also an active contributor to the dental community, serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Tissue Viability, alongside her involvement in numerous professional organizations such as the British Society of Restorative Dentistry and the British Society of Periodontology. She sits on the Scientific Committee of the Dental Health Foundation, and on the Irish Division Committee of the International Association for Dental Research. Her passion for advancing dental education and improving patient care drives her commitment to shaping the future of dentistry.