Karen Smart has over twenty years of clinical experience as an Oral Health Therapist at various locations in rural and remote Queensland in both the public and private sector, and over ten years’ experience in the education of oral health therapist in the tertiary sector. Karen currently holds the position of Head of Course (Oral Health) and Lecturer in Advanced Clinical Practice (Oral Health) at CQUniversity in Rockhampton and has qualifications in dental therapy, dental hygiene, Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy (adult scope), Graduate Certificate in Clinical Teaching and Graduate Certificate in Research.  In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Karen in a member of the Australasian Council of Dental Schools, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Dental and Oral Health Therapy (ANZJDOHT) - Editorial Board and Assistant Treasurer (2021- current) and an External Advisor for Auckland University of Technology (AUT) adult scope restorative course – Graduate Certificate in Health Science (Oral Health).

Karen is an early career researcher currently working with colleagues to design, implement and evaluate a technological approach to performance monitoring in work integrated learning environments.  Karen brings extensive clinical expertise and tertiary teaching experience to this role and also mentors and supervises the less experienced peer clinical educators in the workplace. She is passionate about promoting good oral health as being fundamental to good overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.  With an interest in paediatric dentistry, periodontal therapy, health promotion, work-based assessment in clinical education, and interprofessional education.