My name is Karen Tuel. I was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Maryland. I earned an Associate in Arts Degree from Montgomery College in 1968. In the Fall of 1968 I applied and was accepted to Howard University’s Dental Hygiene Program (within the College of Dentistry) in Washington, DC. I was on the Dean’s Honor Roll my second semester. I was elected to Membership in Sigma Phi Alpha, the Dental Hygiene Honor Soriety, in February of 1970. I graduated with a Certificate in Dental Hygiene in June of 1970. I moved to Austin in September of 1973 and obtained my Texas Dental Hygiene License in 1974. I became a member of our professional association in 1990. I practiced in general and pediatric private offices. I was employed for 10 years with the City of Austin Dental Program for Medical Assistance Patients.

In that time Doug and I married and had a son, born in 1983. I “retired” for2 years to tend to my family. My next employment was with a private general practice which lasted 27 years until I retired in August of 2015. I have made many friends over the years as a member of ADHA, TDHA, and GADHA. Being a member has given me many volunteer opportunities to give back to the Austin community. I participated in several “Seal Out Decay the Austin Way” programs, Health Fairs, oral health presentations at elementary schools, an oral health presentation at Seton Hospital to members of the local Parkinson’s Association, and AISD’s Back to School Bash. I served as a Delegate for many years at the TDHA Annual Sessions. I also donated blood regularly over the years. I am proud of my 20 gallon blood donation plaque. At the component level I have served as President for 2 consecutive years, Secretary, and Treasurer a couple of times, as well as Membership Chair. In 2004 Esther Wilkins came to Austin for a continuing education seminar and I volunteered to pick her up at the airport. I had my Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist textbook in the car and she immediately recognized it and said, “Oh, I see you have the Second Edition!”, knowing the color of each of her twelve editions. She was an energetic 88 year old that year. She autographed my textbook, thanking me for my kind hospitality. Her penmanship was meticulous! I participated for several years in TDHA’s “Legislative Awareness Day” at the Capitol. I testified a few years ago at the Sunset hearing for TSBDE.

My husband and I are currently living in Round Mountain. Come November it will be 4 years since we moved from Austin. We are close to 3 state parks- Pedernales, Blanco, and Inks. We love camping in our trailer, getting out in nature, watching the birds and hiking.