"Helping my son get his confidence back"

I want to thank all the staff at the community Dental Clinic in Carrickfergus and Antrim Area Hospital.

My son has severe learning difficulties and attends the focus group attached to Hawthorn’s Adult Centre in Carrickfergus. Over the last few years he developed a real fear of dentist to the extent he wouldn’t attend the Dental Clinic.

After a referral from his social worker to clinical Psychology department, which took 2 years, Hannah from psychology worked with my son and his Keyworker, Sarah, at the focus group to build up confidence to start going to the dentist again.

Eventually after some trial runs, with the support of Pat at the Community Dental unit based at Carrickfergus Health Centre, he eventually attended appointments again and got two teeth extracted at Antrim Hospital Special Dental unit.

The staff at the Dental unit were superb this has been a long journey for the family and my son.

Sarah and Emily at the Adult Centre have also been kind to help my son prepare his food after returning to the Focus group, thank you.

The Dental staff and Sarah, Emily and Hannah from Clinical Psychology have been brilliant and have shown great patience and kindness throughout the process.