Kilkenny student prepares for trip of a lifetime

Kilkenny fourth year dentistry student Ciaran Kehoe will be going above and beyond next summer as he prepares to take part in a voluntary program that will take him to a rural area of Nepal.

The UCC student, from North Kilkenny will help set up temporary clinics where people in need are offered 100% free dental care.

The Muckalee native told Kilkenny Live that 'most people wouldn't even have a tooth brush in the area', adding, 'we're very lucky here in Ireland'.

The former Castlecomer Community School was awarded the Prestigious Quercus Entrance Scholarship by University College Cork in 2022 with the school inviting him back to speak to students following the unique achievement.

The Quercus Entrance Scholarship is awarded to First Year undergraduate students, who are admitted via CAO into a full-time Level 8 primary degree programme offered by UCC.

"Oral hygiene instruction, extractions, filling, pharmacy prescriptions, preventative therapies and cleanings would be made available to those who have never had the privilege of dental care, nor the education and knowledge to care for their own oral hygiene," Ciaran claimed.

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"The aim of this programme is to give these patients the knowledge and tools to care for themselves, spread awareness of the importance of dental health, and help patients maintain healthy teeth for as long as possible," he added.

The long journey will see Ciaran fly to London, on to Katmandou, eventually finishing in Nepal. 

However, despite the lengthy gruelling trip, it's clear dentistry is a passion for Ciaran who claims he has 'no regrets' taking that path with the opportunity to experience a different way of life while working in the profession he loves a prospect Ciaran is relishing.

The local man's Go fund Me exceeding his target reaching €2,270 and he extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him on his quest so far.