Smiles Dental O’Connell Street – Meet the team

Dr Michael Koukoulis graduated in 2003 from the University of Glasgow (Scotland). Following completion of his vocational training in the UK, Michael joined the army for a year where he worked as a Dental Officer. In 2006, Michael completed postgraduate training in Dental Implantology from the University of Warwick (UK) and since then his area of interest lies primarily with the provision of dental implant restorations. Michael is also a qualified provider of the Six Month Smiles orthodontic treatment and a dental implant specialist. Michael has been a member of the Smiles Dental Team from its humble beginnings and he’s proud to have seen it grown to the largest dental care provider in the country.

Dr Patricia Nalewajska graduated from the Medical University in Wroclaw, Poland in 2002. She joined the Smiles Dental team in 2006 after previously working in Poland, she has a special interest in endodontics and all forms of aesthetic dentistry. Patricia is also a qualified provider of the Six Month Smiles orthodontic treatment.

Dr Laima Gylyte graduated from the University of Vilnius, Lithuania in 2009. Since then, she has worked in both private and public sectors in Lithuania and Ireland. Dr Laima has attended various postgraduate training courses such as training in aesthetic dentistry, endodontics and surgical dentistry. She feels it is essential to keep up to date with modern dental knowledge and regularly attends training courses. She likes all aspects of general dentistry and her favourite aspect of her job is working with patients to achieve the best results for them. She is also excellent at treating nervous patients.

Dr Fernanda Roese Mesquita graduated from Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil in 2005. She later completed further education and training in Portugal. She then relocated to continue her career in the UK, before joining the Smiles Dental team in 2018.

Fernanda thinks that the patient’s journey is as important as the quality of the treatment. Along with general dentistry, she has a particular interest in cosmetic ortho, Invisalign and Six Months Smiles.

Mohammed graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. He worked for many years in a general dental practice before commencing full-time training in oral medicine at Dublin Dental University Hospital, from which he graduated in 2004 with a master’s in Dental Surgery. In 2012, he was awarded a PhD in the same field from Trinity College Dublin.

Mohammed sees patients for all general dental treatments. His particular focus is on oral medicine; the diagnosis and management of chronic and recurrent conditions that affect the lining tissues of the mouth. This includes infections, blisters, ulcers, white and red patches/pre-cancerous lesions, non- dental orofacial pain and dry mouth.

Periodontist 12121

General Dentist 22322

Orthodontist 16407

Dr Janusz Banasik graduated from the Medical University Dental School in Lodz, Poland in 1994. Janusz spent many years working in his native country before moving to Ireland, where he joined the Smiles Dental team in November 2007. Janusz has a great interest in orthodontics, occlusion and tempro-mandibular disorders.

Dr Janusz Banasik has received his orthodontic training from the following institutions:

Clinical Foundation of Orthopedics and Orthodontics by Dr J.W. Truitt- comprehensive orthodontics
Full Face Global by Dr Derek Mahoney- Damon System three stages full certification training and STB lingual braces three stages certification program

Wired Orthodontics by Dr Ian Hutchinson- orthodontic mini implants

Dr Janusz Banasik is also certified in:

Invisalign System
Incognito lingual braces
Insignia Braces System- Advanced Smile Design

Endodontist 3110
B.A.,B. Dent. Sc., MSC End (Eng)

Dr Izabela Piotrowska is an experienced dentist and endodontist, working with our community of patients at Smiles Dental Bray.

Training and Qualifications: Dr Izabela Piotrowska graduated from Pomeranian University in Poland in 2008. She joined Smiles Dental Bray in 2010, where she has been able to gain experience in general dentistry over the last 13 years. In the years since graduation, Izabela has maintained an ongoing commitment to continuous professional development with a special interest in endodontics (root canal treatment).

Her interest and passion for endodontics encouraged her to enter the prestigious Microscopic Endodontics course in Warsaw in 2018. The skills achieved allowed her to provide endodontic treatment with the use of high magnification. In 2019, Izabela undertook advanced specialist training in endodontology at King’s College London Dental Institute. Subsequently, in 2021 Izabela was awarded her Master in Endodontics from Chester University, England.

Treatments offered: Since achieving her master’s, Izabela has been specialising in endodontics and accepting referrals from her colleagues. She is committed to provide professional and quality endodontics while using an evidence-based approach and contemporary techniques. Recently, Izabela has decided to expand her skills and explore the field of facial aesthetics. She completed a botulinum toxin training course to focus on treatment of bruxism as well as offering anti-wrinkle therapy.

General Dentist 17619
B.Dent Sc BDS, 2019, Trinity College Dublin

Astabrk enjoys restorative and endodontic dentistry and has a particular interest in the diagnosis, treatment and management of oral cancers. Astabrk graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2019. During his studies, he was involved in conducting research, audits and presentations as well as intensive clinical training in all aspects of dentistry. Astabrk has experience in oral surgery and oral medicine but particularly enjoys restorative and endodontic dentistry. He has completed multiple electives in Tallaght University Hospital, St James’s Hospital and dental hospitals in the maxillofacial and oncology units . His greatest area of interest is the diagnosis, treatment and management of oral cancer.