A Cork dentist has been named Dentist of the Year for 2009.

Dr Freda Guiney from Cork win the award having been nominated by two patients, Mary and Ciaran Cunningham.

Early in 2009, the Cunninghams were expecting their first child when Mary developed a sudden dental problem which left her in great pain.

The maternity hospital told her they could do very little for her dental problem so the Cunninghams contacted their dentist, Freda Guiney who was a two-hour drive away.

Says Ciaran Cunningham: "So at 11pm on a Friday evening we found ourselves knocking on Dr Guiney's door to be met with welcoming concern. Dr Guiney did what she could within the limitations of treating a heavily pregnant woman, contacting us each day over the weekend and even faxing a prescription to a late-night pharmacy."

On the Sunday night, the Cunningham's son was born.

The judging panel said Dr Guiney showed immense courage and professional ability when she accepted a pregnant patient at 39 weeks for treatment, late at night on a weekend.

"Having been told by the maternity hospital that there was nothing they could do for Mary's facial pain, Dr Guiney's intervention out-of-hours ensured a prescription was found that could help. The patient was able to get a night's sleep before delivering the baby two day later," said Dr Barry Harrington, Chairman of the judging panel."

The award, whcih is sponsored by Sensodyne, is in association with the Journal of the Irish Dental Association.