Karen Turanga is an OHS consultant, educator, academic and owner of PracticeSafe, specialising in psychosocial risk management and practical health and safety systems for dental practices and other professional workplaces. Underpinned with over 30 years of clinical experience in both the New Zealand military and private practice as a dental hygienist, and experience in clinical quality assurance, compliance, governance, and infection prevention.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Health (Population Health – Poutū-manahau) and a Master of Social Science with first-class honours in Social Policy, and is currently completing her PhD and health research at the University of Waikato. A TEDx speaker and accredited Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa instructor (Te Pou), she has provided training, consulting, and risk management support across dental, construction, and social service sectors.

She previously served as President and Editor of the New Zealand Dental Hygienists’ Association, and Waikato Branch President prior to the formation of the New Zealand Oral Health Association.