Karen La Fontaine
Rosebery,NT
Summary
Dental hygienist with over 30 years experience covering general dentistry, Periodontics and Orthodontics.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Dental Hygienist
Darwin Orthodontics
Darwin, NT
09.2022 - Current
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and preventive care.
- Recorded detailed patient treatment notes in electronic systems.
- Performed orthodontic adjustments as prescribed by Orthodontist.
- Placed attachments for aligner treatment, as prescribed by the orthodontist.
- Indirect/direct bracket placement for braces treatment, as prescribed by the orthodontist.
- Removal of attachments and brackets after treatment completion, as directed by the orthodontist.
- Extraoral radiographs, as prescribed (OPG and Lat Ceph).
- Impressions of appliances.
Dental Hygienist
International SOS / Healthcare Australia - Defence employment
Darwin, NT
06.2018 - 01.2020
- Educated patients on oral health practices and preventive care strategies.
- Scaling/root planing.
- Implement infection control procedures.
- Maintained detailed patient treatment notes.
- Intra oral radiographs as prescribed by dentist.
- Impressions as prescribed by dentist.
- Administered local anaesthetic.
Dental Hygienist
Chandler McLeod/NT Medic Healthcare/Aspen Medical/Healthcare Australia - Defence employment
Darwin, NT
04.2007 - 06.2018
- Provided Hygiene treatment as per previous general dentistry - Defence employment.
Dental Hygienist
Laser Dentistry
Casuarina, NT
2004 - 2007
- Educated patients on oral hygiene techniques and dental health.
- Scaling/root planing.
- Implement infection control procedures.
- Maintained detailed patient treatment notes.
- Intra oral/extra oral radiographs as prescribed by dentist.
- Impressions as prescribed by dentist.
- Administered local anaesthetic.
Dental Hygienist
Darwin Dental Specialists
Casuarina, NT
2003 - 2006
- Provided Hygiene treatment as per previous general dentistry employment.
- Assist Periodontists from Adelaide in all aspects of periodontal treatment.
- Maintain patients' post-surgical therapy.
Dental Hygienist
Drake Personnel
Nowra
2000 - 2002
- Provided Hygiene treatment as per previous Defence employment.
- Assisted visiting specialist Orthodontist/Periodontist.
Dental Hygienist
Royal Australian Navy - Defence/Duntroon Dental Unit/HMAS Albatross
Nowra
1992 - 2000
- Provided Hygiene treatment as per previous Defence employment.
Education
Civilian Accreditation Exam
Westmead Hospital
01-1993
Certificate in Dental Hygiene
Royal Australian Navy Dental School
Crib Point, VIC01-1991
Certificate in Dental Assisting
Royal Australian Navy Dental School
Crib Point, VIC01-1989
High School Diploma -
Craigslea State High School
Queensland01-1984
Skills
- Patient education
- Preventive dentistry
- Dental records
- Oral hygiene instruction
- Orthodontic procedures
- Radiographic imaging
- Dental equipment operation
- Infection control practices
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Periodontal maintenance
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Dental Hygienist
Darwin Orthodontics
09.2022 - Current
Dental Hygienist
International SOS / Healthcare Australia - Defence employment
06.2018 - 01.2020
Dental Hygienist
Chandler McLeod/NT Medic Healthcare/Aspen Medical/Healthcare Australia - Defence employment
04.2007 - 06.2018
Dental Hygienist
Laser Dentistry
2004 - 2007
Dental Hygienist
Darwin Dental Specialists
2003 - 2006
Dental Hygienist
Drake Personnel
2000 - 2002
Dental Hygienist
Royal Australian Navy - Defence/Duntroon Dental Unit/HMAS Albatross
1992 - 2000
Civilian Accreditation Exam
Westmead Hospital
Certificate in Dental Hygiene
Royal Australian Navy Dental School
Certificate in Dental Assisting
Royal Australian Navy Dental School
High School Diploma -
Craigslea State High School