Maeve Berkley
Carrick - on - Shannon,Ireland
Summary
Early‑career dental hygienist (graduating University of Portsmouth, July 2026) and registered dental nurse with the Irish Dental Council (ATU, distinction). I am passionate about delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care and building positive, trusting relationships with patients across all ages and needs, including paediatric and special‑care populations.
My academic and professional background combines strong clinical training, leadership experience and academic research skills, giving me a unique ability to integrate evidence‑based practice with compassionate, prevention‑focused care. I bring excellent communication, organisation, and teamwork, strengthened through supervisory experience and diverse clinical placements. I am committed to providing empathetic, inclusive care and contributing to a practice that values kindness, innovation, and continuous improvement in oral‑health outcomes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Student Dental Hygienist
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Hampshire
2023.09 - 2026.06
- Seeing & treating patients weekly under supervision, progress and feedback monitored using LiftUpp Software
- All clinical competencies passed including administering local anaesthetic and radiography
- All Clinical Development Monitoring Panel (CDMP) feedback stages passed
- Positive patient feedback regularly retrieved using 360 feedback forms
- Clinical reflections regularly completed as a tool for continuous learning & improvement
- Clinical Placement: GDP practice session
- A clinical session was arranged for us to see 8 patients in a day with 45 minute slots, including note-taking
- Maintained high clinical standards of patient care and clear communication throughout
- Positive feedback received on LiftUpp from session supervisor and from patients at end of treatments
- Clinical Placement: QA Maxillofacial Unit
- Assisted the dental therapist in carrying out dental procedures, gaining insight into complex patient care and working in an interdisciplinary team
- Oral Health Promotion Placement: Brush Up
- Assisted with oral health checks in primary schools across Portsmouth, applied topical fluoride and referred children for appointments at UPDA
- Developed behaviour management strategies tailored to the individual child's needs
- Strengthened understanding of ethical practice by ensuring parental/guardian consent was obtained
Temp Sales Advisor
Tommy Hilfiger, Gunwharf Quays
, Hampshire
2025.06 - 2025.07
- Active listening and use of knowledge of products & promotions to deliver exceptional customer service
- Collaborated effectively in a team to coordinate customer flow while maintaining responsibility for designated area
- Working in a fast-paced environment, remaining calm under pressure
- Cash handling - processing transactions, refunds & exchanges
- General housekeeping and maintenance of shop floor, stock & staff areas
Temp Sales Advisor
Crew Clothing, Gunwharf Quays
, Portsmouth
2024.06 - 2024.07
- Cash handling, processing transactions, refunds & exchanges, stock control
- Building rapport and providing tailored advice
- Collaborating in a fast-paced environment
Dental Nurse
Dr. Peter Farrelly Dental Practice, Ireland
Letterkenny, Donegal
2022.02 - 2023.08
- Began as University placement and became full time employment for the Summer of 2022
- Requested to return for final University placement and continued to work Saturday’s for the summer of 2023 once finishing the dental nursing course
- Decontamination & sterilisation of instruments, work surfaces, adhering strictly to cross-infection protocols (HSE IPC, AMRIC)
- Chairside assistance - anticipating clinician need and supporting patients to ensure they are comfortable and feel psychologically safe
- Completed written dental charting and maintained clear, compliant clinical records
- Safe segration and disposal of healthcare risk waste in accordance with waste-management guidance
Dental Nurse – University Placement
HSE Primary Care Centres – Sligo/Leitrim, Ireland
2022.09 - 2022.12
- Second University placement
- Assisted in dental clinics across the Sligo/Leitrim region, adapting quickly to various clinical environments
- Supported paediatric and special needs patients with empathy, clear & tailored communication, helping to create a calm & positive experience
- Safe & thorough decontamination & sterilisation procedures inline with national guidance (HSE IPC, AMRIC)
- Efficient chairside assistance to maintain a smooth workflow and offer patient support
- Managed appointment bookings and organised the hygienist’s clinic
Temp Youth Worker
Donegal Traveler’s Project, Ireland
2020.01 - 2020.06
- Supervised & supported young travelers in youth clubs & after school programmes
- Delivered and designed workshops & learning opportunities: Drug & Alcohol abuse programme, Driver theory, Makeup artistry course
- Offered advice & guidance to families during Covid-19 pandemic
- Followed safeguarding & data protection policies
Supervisor
Dv8 Fashion
, Longford
2018.04 - 2019.04
- Returned as Supervisor Aug 2020 - Aug 2021
- Responsible as a leader and a trusted key holder responsible for opening & closing
- Supported the team during busy periods, delegating tasks effectively to maintain smooth operations
- Oversaw day-today operations in a fast-paced environment
- Participated in fashion buyer calls & conference calls, contributing insight and communicating our stores needs
- Visual merchandising and window dressing to a high standard, ensuring brand consistency and attention to detail
- Communicated clearly and consistently with area manager on daily reporting on shop figures
- Organised staff rotas to ensure sufficient cover and even workload distribution
Retail assistant
Dv8 Fashion
, Longford
2017.04 - 2018.04
- Returned as retail assistant July - Sep 2025
- Cash handling, processing transactions, refunds & exchanges
- Delivered exceptional customer service by maintaining an in-depth knowledge of stock
- Setting up loyalty cards
- Stock transfers from other stores for customer orders
- Preparing the pricing for big promotions
Education
BSc - Dental Hygiene
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth 2023.09 - 2026.06
Certificate in Access for Higher Education - Preparatory studies
Atlantic Technological University
Letterkenny, Donegal 2020.09 - 2021.05
Dental Nursing QQI Level 6 - Dental
Atlantic Technological University
Letterkenny, Donegal 2021.09 - 2023.06
Skills
- Communication
- Organisation
- Evidence-Based decision making
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Reflective
- Advocacy and social-awareness
- Interpersonal skills
- Commitment to continuous improvement and personal development
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Teamwork and collaboration
Affiliations
- Student member of BSDHT
- Student member of BSP
- Student member of IDHA
- Student member of UOP Dental Society
- Student member of Dental Protection
References
References available upon request.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS / INTERESTS
- Full Irish Driving license
- Experience managing high anxiety patients with special needs and experience with paediatrics through BrushUP programme & HSE placement
- Previously volunteered for National Council for the blind of Ireland – shop assistant,
- Previously volunteered at local Christmas markets
- Helped organise and modelled in a fashion show wearing Dv8 merchandise to fundraise for the local school
- Passionate about running, fitness, health & nutrition, cooking & baking
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- NHS Leadership Academy courses
- 2026
- Authentic Leadership
- Leaders: Looking after yourself
- Emotional intelligence
- Team & group dynamics
- Work with emotions & care for team
- Guided Biofilm Therapy: 6 Hours of training
- Dec 2025
- BSDHT Peri-Implant & Periodontal Care Webinar
- Nov 2025
- Colgate: Empower your patients with active prevention
- Sep 2025
- NHS E-Learning for healthcare
- 2024
- Safe guarding children L1
- Safe guarding adults L1
- Resuscitation newborn L2
- Resuscitation paediatric L2
- Resuscitation adult L2
- Moving & handling L1
- Infection prevention control L2
- Data security awareness L1
- Conflict resolution
- Introduction to living with dementia
- BSDHT Oral Health Conference, Bournemouth
- Nov 2023
- Oral Health Promotion Research Group Conference, Dublin
- Sep 2022
- HSE Land courses
- 2022
- Open disclosure: Applying principles to practice
- AMRIC infection & prevention control
- Standard & transmission-based precautions
- Basics of infection and prevention control & antimicrobial resistance
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Completion of Childhood obesity Core module - Sláintecare
- Oct 2022
- TUSLA Child protection training
- 2022
Timeline
Temp Sales Advisor
Tommy Hilfiger, Gunwharf Quays
2025.06 - 2025.07
Temp Sales Advisor
Crew Clothing, Gunwharf Quays
2024.06 - 2024.07
Student Dental Hygienist
University of Portsmouth
2023.09 - 2026.06
BSc - Dental Hygiene
University of Portsmouth
2023.09 - 2026.06
Dental Nurse – University Placement
HSE Primary Care Centres – Sligo/Leitrim, Ireland
2022.09 - 2022.12
Dental Nurse
Dr. Peter Farrelly Dental Practice, Ireland
2022.02 - 2023.08
Dental Nursing QQI Level 6 - Dental
Atlantic Technological University
2021.09 - 2023.06
Certificate in Access for Higher Education - Preparatory studies
Atlantic Technological University
2020.09 - 2021.05
Temp Youth Worker
Donegal Traveler’s Project, Ireland
2020.01 - 2020.06
Supervisor
Dv8 Fashion
2018.04 - 2019.04
Retail assistant
Dv8 Fashion
2017.04 - 2018.04