Donncha O’Carolan graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast, in 1986 and went into general dental practice as an associate for one year before opening his own practice in Derry in 1987. He spent the next 14 years as a practice principal, opening a second practice in the Republic of Ireland and served as a vocational trainer for two years.
During his time in practice, Donncha served as secretary of the Western Area LDC and also served on the Western Area Dental Advisory Committee and the Northern Ireland General Dental Service Committee.
Donncha entered the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in 2001 as a Referral Dental Officer and coupled this role with part-time working in Queen’s School of Dentistry. He was appointed as a dental policy officer in 2002 and became acting Chief Dental Officer in September 2006.
Declaration of interests