Dr Karen Paterson has spent her life balancing her calling as a dentist with her faith as a Christian. Now retired from dental practice, Karen also served as President of the Christian Dental Fellowship (CDF), a role that allowed her to give back to the profession that has shaped her life.

With a career, spanning roles as a specialist oral surgeon, general dental practitioner, dental school tutor, and volunteer in several international dental missions, Karen’s faith has always been the cornerstone of her journey.

She is married with 3 grown-up boys and has previously been on the church leadership at New Life Baptist Church in Nottingham.

We spoke to Karen about her experiences in dentistry, the importance of faith and community, and what Christmas means to her.

A lifelong calling

For Karen, dentistry was never just a career; it was a calling. “I knew from my teenage years that I wanted to be a dentist.” Her journey with the CDF began as a student in the early 1980s, and the fellowship has been a constant source of support ever since.

“CDF opened up so many opportunities for me. From training healthcare staff in extractions with Bridge2Aid in Tanzania, to working with Dentaid in Thessalonika’s refugee camp, and in Kenya with Smiletrain, my faith and dentistry have taken me to places I could never have imagined.”

Now retired, Karen feels honoured and privileged to have been able to guide the next generation as CDF President. “It’s great to see membership growing, particularly among students and recent graduates. We’re also connecting with international dental graduates who are navigating the challenges of registering with the General Dental Council. (GDC).”

Faith in Daily Life and Practice

Karen’s faith is inseparable from her identity and influences every aspect of her life, including her approach to patient care and leadership.

“In dental training you’re taught to treat the patient as if they were a close family member. For me, I treated patients like it was Jesus in the dental chair. Treating someone with that level of care and compassion, and with a respectful approach brings a healing and restorative experience hopefully for the patient.”

She also highlights how faith has helped her navigate challenges.

“My faith gave me confidence to deliver patient-centred care, guided by the patient, and with an understanding that everyone is worthy of kindness and respect. My faith and relationship with Jesus, shapes my routine and priorities. Having faith means I’m not making decisions alone but in consultation and in partnership with others and Jesus.”

The Power of Community

Karen credits much of her personal and professional growth to the sense of community she found through her church and the CDF.

“Church is a place of pause and reset for me. It inspires and encourages me to live the rest of my week with love, compassion, and purpose. At Church we are proactive in outreach, offering wellbeing spaces, mental health support, and creative activities to serve our community. These acts of service remind me of the values I aim to embody in my life and work.”

The importance of the Christian Dental Fellowship

“CDF is the one place where Christian faith and dentistry fully merge harmoniously together. I felt very supported by CDF as a student and through my whole career. The people within CDF helped me explore what a career in dentistry might look like and overseas work was highlighted as an option.

It opened up so many opportunities. And now, I’m able to give back to younger dental students and dentists, who are keen to hear what older dentists have experienced and be supported by them.

Dentistry and faith are both lifelong learning experiences. We’re very much a family at CDF. We pray together, support one another, and encourage younger dentists through peer and pastoral support.

Prayer, in particular, is powerful. It’s like talking therapy and more, providing strength, clarity and direction

Faith and Misconceptions

Karen acknowledges that while faith can be a source of strength, misconceptions often can create barriers.

“There’s a tendency to focus on what Christianity is against rather than what it stands for—unity, harmony, reconciliation, and justice for the marginalized. I believe dialogue between faiths is enriching and something to be embraced. Faiths share so many values, like compassion and helping the poor. Highlighting these commonalities can break down stereotypes and foster understanding.”

She’s seen attitudes towards faith in the workplace evolve.

“When I was a student, we could meet as faith groups in dental schools. That’s become more challenging over time, with some nervousness around openly discussing religion. However, I’ve also seen growth in Christian workplace groups, like those supported by Transform Work, which equips Christians to share their faith in professional settings. Large companies are beginning to recognise the value of embracing people of different faiths. This enriches the lives of believers and those they come in contact with and leads to more prosperous businesses.”

The Meaning of Christmas

For Karen, Christmas is central to her faith. “Christmas is foundational to the Christian faith. It is the depiction of Emmanuel – meaning ‘God with us’ – God coming down to earth in the form of Jesus Christ to share humanity and what it means to be human. Jesus’ life was full of the human experience including humble and difficult beginnings. The child of an unmarried teenage mother, born in a stable. Throughout his life, he experienced love, friendship, tears, rejection, challenge, ridicule, persecution, rejection, and ultimately death by crucifixion. We have a relationship with Jesus and God because of what happened at Christmas and Easter Sunday, so it is fundamental to the Christian faith.”

Traditions and Reflections

Advent holds special meaning for Karen as a time of preparation and anticipation.

“It can be a busy time, but Advent encourages me to pause and focus on the reason for the season and think about the birth of Jesus and God stepping into our humanity. The candles lit during Advent and the lights on the Christmas trees and houses is our expression of that hope. I also enjoy community events, carol singing, sharing meals with friends and neighbours, and giving gifts, representing the generosity and goodwill of the season.”

Balancing Faith and Dentistry

When asked about balancing the demands of dentistry with observing her faith, Karen emphasizes the importance of rest and recalibration.

“I’m very much part of my local church community in Nottingham. Observing the Sabbath and meeting with my Church family is a great reboot for me. It inspires and encourages me to live the rest of the working week with love, compassion, and support. It’s important to attend to one’s wellbeing as well as attending to the wellbeing of others, including our family, friends, work colleagues, and patients. If we’re to truly serve others, it’s important to incorporate self-care into your routine to be able to run the long race.”

A Life of Faith and Service

Karen’s journey illustrates how faith and dentistry can enrich one another, creating a life of purpose and impact.
Her message to others is clear:

“Faith isn’t something you leave at the door of your workplace—it’s part of who you are. Faith has enriched the way I’ve treated patients and interacted with colleagues, family, and friends over the years.

Conversations about faith and dentistry can foster understanding, build community, and make our profession more inclusive. If you’d like to know more about harmonising your Christian faith and dental practice, do get in touch with me at the Christian Dental Fellowship.”

You can read about other’s experiences of Christianity and Dentistry in the articles below: