About Cochrane Dental
Private Dentist in Coleraine
At Cochrane Dental, we are committed to providing patient-centred, high-quality private dentistry in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Our philosophy is simple: dentistry built on trust, integrity, and genuine care.
We believe visiting the dentist should feel comfortable, respectful, and empowering. That’s why we take the time to listen first, understand your concerns, and help you make informed decisions about your dental health.
Our experienced dental team is passionate about delivering modern, minimally invasive dentistry using advanced technology, high-quality materials, and a personalised approach to care.
Whether you are visiting us for routine dental care, cosmetic treatment, or referral services, you will always be treated with professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail.
A Private Dental Practice Focused on You
At Cochrane Dental, we offer private dental care free from NHS restrictions, allowing us to:
- Spend more time with every patient
- Provide personalised treatment plans
- Use high-quality materials and advanced technology
- Offer flexible treatment options
- Deliver exceptional standards of care
Our goal is to help you achieve long-term oral health and a confident smile in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Our Team
Meet our excellent team of highly qualified staff.
Dr Paul Cochrane
Paul completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Anatomical Sciences with First Class Honours at the University of Dundee in 2002. During his time on the course, he met some of the best people in his life, many of whom remain close friends today. With the support of his family and friends, Paul pursued his ambition of practising dentistry with determination and a genuine sense of purpose.
Paul subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Healthcare Law and Ethics through Dundee Law School in 2010. His postgraduate studies reflect a genuine commitment to exploring the importance of motive and character within the dental profession. For Paul, it is less about holding the title of dentist and more about embodying the qualities of a caring professional, using his skills, knowledge and clinical competence for the direct benefit of his patients.
Paul openly describes the hugely positive experiences he had with Scottish colleagues and the mentorship they provided during his early career. These colleagues demonstrated and reinforced his belief that dentistry is a powerful vocation rather than simply a job that can be carried out without engagement, responsibility or commitment.
As a result of these experiences, Paul has developed into an experienced general dental practitioner. Since graduating in 2006, he has worked in both corporate and independent practices across Scotland and Northern Ireland. He has also held teaching roles at the University of Dundee and, most recently, at Queen’s University Belfast as a Clinical Teaching Fellow.
Paul has worked as an independent dental assessor for the local Medical and Dental Deanery and, in 2015, completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education at Queen’s University Belfast. His clinical practice is centred on patient care, which remains the driving force behind his enthusiasm for dentistry. From 2016–2020, he has also been a member of the prestigious educational faculty of the Medical Protection Society and is a UK-accredited presenter in risk management for the organisation.
Paul’s practising career, which he continues to enjoy immensely, has encouraged him to develop his clinical interests further. Following training in Oslo, he now uses an operating microscope in his clinical practice, particularly when providing root canal treatment, helping to improve precision and outcomes for his patients.
In 2023, Paul successfully completed a year-long Postgraduate Master Diploma in Clinical and Surgical Microendodontics with the University of Turin, Italy. This considerable commitment has enabled Paul to receive referrals from colleagues and patients for root canal-related treatment.
When he is not ‘doing teeth’, Paul can usually be found spending time with his family and friends. He is just as happy talking about farming as he is talking about dentistry.
For Paul, being a dentist is about being dedicated, focused and caring, while continually striving to provide the best possible care for every patient.
Dr Marie Sharkey
Marie qualified with merits in clinical dentistry in 2011 from Newcastle University. She went on to work in general practice in the North East of England prior to returning home to Northern Ireland. During this time, she established a keen interest in developing treatment plans with patients that focused on the treatment of dental disease and the importance of the patient’s role in achieving the ultimate goal of having a healthy, stable, pain free mouth.
Marie strongly believes in the importance of lifelong learning and she embodies this by her immense commitment to postgraduate education. Consequently, she values the ethos of evidence-based dentistry to ensure her patients achieve the highest standard of care while keeping up to date with the latest developments in the profession. Marie has undertaken numerous postgraduate training courses and in 2017 she was awarded the diploma of membership of the faculty of dental surgery by the royal college of physicians and surgeons of Glasgow.
Marie is a committed, authentic and considerate professional and she brings these qualities of commitment and competence with her to benefit the patients she cares for. Paul recognised her as a quality person and professional when they worked together in L’Derry and he was delighted when Marie agreed to join the team in Coleraine.
Marie’s postgraduate area of interest is periodontology; this field has grown to encompass the treatment of disease in the supporting tissues surrounding dental implants in addition to the treatment of gum disease associated with teeth. She is currently undertaking a Masters in Clinical periodontology at UCLan and is a member of the British Society of Periodontology. Marie will be developing a referral service at the practice to allow colleagues to refer their patients to her directly, suffering with complex gum disease, so that they can benefit from her care and expertise.
Going forward, Marie will be in great demand for her postgraduate skills because of the prevalence of what we commonly call, gum disease. She leads the care at Cochrane Dental Care in this clinical field.
Dr Victoria McAfee
Victoria graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in dental surgery (Distinction.) She completed Dental Core Training in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS.) During her postgraduate training she gained her Membership to the Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow. Victoria has completed a postgraduate certificate in clinical education and is certified in advanced facial aesthetics.
Our Dental Services in Coleraine
We offer a complete range of private dental services including:
Family Dental
Our family dental services focus on maintaining healthy teeth and gums at every stage of life.
Cosmetic Dental Care
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are designed to enhance your smile while keeping your results natural.
Dental Implants
Providing a secure, natural-looking replacement for missing teeth, helping restore both function and confidence.
“Honestly the best Dentist I’ve ever been to. Very kind and took the time to talk through and explain everything. Gave me options for treatment and advice for the future, and generally made it all pretty effortless.”
TH, Patient
Dental Plans
Take a look at our plans
Find Us
Directions to our Coleraine Practice