About Karyn

I am a NZ trained Oral Surgeon. I am a registered specialist with the Dental Council of NZ and previously the NSW Dental Board.

My background

I moved to Dunedin from Tauranga where I gained my BDS degree with Merit from Otago University graduating in 1994. I then spent several years gaining and extending my surgical knowledge before embarking on my post graduate qualifications. During these years I worked as a House Surgeon at Waikato Hospital where the focus was mainly on trauma patients who had suffered facial fractures. I have also worked at Christchurch Oral Health unit where the focus was more on patients with medical conditions who could not be treated in a general practice environment. I have also worked in general dental practices in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. I have also been lucky enough to spend nearly two years working as a junior lecturer in Oral Surgery at Dundee University Scotland. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Scotland both teaching Oral Surgery to dental students and learning from my UK colleagues.

Back to Dunedin

Moving back to Dunedin in 2004, I embarked on a post graduate degree in Oral surgery. I gained my Doctorate of Dental Surgery specialising in Oral Surgery (DClinDent Oral Surgery) at The University of Otago in 2008.

This experience and training has given me the specialised skill needed to carry out intricate oral surgery procedures such as wisdom tooth removal, dento-alveolar surgery and implant surgery that I use in my every day practice.

Since completing my Doctorate, I have established Fernbrae House, a private specialist surgical practice with a purpose built Day Stay facility. I also maintain strong ties with the School of Dentistry and have been the external examiner for the discipline of Oral Surgery on numerous occasions.

My private practice at Fernbrae House

One of the challenges to maintaining a private practice is to consistently keep improving. For that reason, in 2014 I voluntarily undertook to have Fernbrae House accredited to NZ Day Stay standard (NZ/AUS 8645: 2005) to ensure that the building and the quality systems relating to patient care are maintained to the highest standards of quality and patient safety. This is regularly, independently and vigorously audited.

I am committed to keeping up to date with current and new technologies and therapies and I regularly attend continuing professional development meetings. I also have excellent working relationships with my medical and dental colleagues. I often work alongside or in conjunction with Prosthodontists, Endodontists, Orthodontists, Maxillofacial Surgeons, ENT surgeons and an Anaesthetist to bring a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Experience. Care. Compassion.

My team and I pride ourselves of being able to provide comprehensive surgical treatment to our patients in a relaxed, warm and peaceful atmosphere. We are happy to discuss any needs or fears that you have in order to come up with a co-operative treatment plan. It is a source of immense pride that every patient is treated according to their individual needs with respect and empathy whilst ensuring their safety, confidentiality and providing quality care.