Sarah Wallis Karnish

Dr. Sarah Wallis Karnish serves as a Part-Time Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. A board-certified pediatric dentist, she practices clinically in Shawnee, Oklahoma while contributing to dental education through her academic role.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University
• Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
• Master of Dental Science and Pediatric Dentistry Residency from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry

Dr. Karnish specializes in comprehensive pediatric oral healthcare with advanced expertise in behavior management for young patients, trauma rehabilitation, sedation dentistry, and care for children with special healthcare needs. Her clinical training encompasses craniofacial anomaly management, dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia, and interceptive orthodontics developed through rotations at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during residency. She maintains rigorous clinical standards through board certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and active certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Conscious Sedation.

Professional affiliations include:

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• Oklahoma Dental Association

As Chief Resident during her pediatric dentistry training at the University of Tennessee, she demonstrated leadership in clinical education while treating complex pediatric cases across multiple hospital systems. Her practice philosophy integrates evidence-based preventive strategies with specialized restorative techniques tailored to developmental stages.