Karen P. West

Karen P. West is a distinguished academic leader and advocate for women's health and diversity in dental education. She earned a D.M.D. from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and an M.P.H. in Health Administration from the University of South Carolina School of Public Health. With over 30 years of experience in dental faculty and administration, she served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) from 2002 to 2007, gaining academic tenure as an Associate Professor. Since 2007, she has served as Dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine (UNLV SDM), managing a $35 million budget and overseeing 400 faculty/staff and 350 students.

• Education: D.M.D. (University of Louisville School of Dentistry), M.P.H. in Health Administration (University of South Carolina School of Public Health)

Her research and leadership focus on advancing dental education through inclusivity and public health integration. Dr. West has held key administrative roles across institutions, including Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs (1998-2002), Acting Dean for Admissions and Student Services (2002-2003), and Interim Division Chief of Public Service Dentistry (2005) at UKCD. Her work spans clinical leadership, academic governance, and expanding access to dental care.