Home » Uncategorized » New dentist in Waupaca

New dentist in Waupaca

Dr. Karen A. Johnson, 1999 graduate of Northwestern University Dental School, will join Harvey Dental in Waupaca on Nov. 1.

Originally from the Chicago area, Johnson relocated to Clintonville in 2001 when she formed partnership with Clintonville Family Dentistry. Johnson remains a full partner with Dr. John DeWolf.

Johnson said she is excited about the prospect of expanding her practice in the Waupaca area.

“While some people may be surprised to see a woman dentist,” Dr. Greg Harvey said, “Others are asking, ‘what took so long?’ There are many people who are just more comfortable talking about health issues, including dentistry, with a woman.”

Women as care-giver is a long accepted tradition, Dr.

Harvey said that as recently as 20 years ago, most dental schools had a female enrollment of less than 3 percent.

In 2009, among 186,084 professionally active dentists in the US, 22.2 percent (41,309) were female. Today, up to 25 percent of dental school graduates are women.

“Dr. Johnson will not only bring something special to Harvey Dental”, Harvey said, “She brings a lot to the community. She is very active and involved.”

Johnson is president and treasurer of the Waupaca County Dental Society, a post she has held for three years. She is active in Rotary where, as part of Rotary International outreach, she served families while living in the mountains of Jamaica. She volunteers her time helping Waupaca County Registered Dental Hygienist Wendy Beyer, screen students and apply sealants in the public schools. She also volunteers at Play and Learn Preschool in Clintonville and is an active participant and adult helper for the Rexford Longfellow Elementary School Running Club. Johnson also is a Delegate to the Wisconsin Dental Association House of Delegates.

JFollowing her graduation from Northwestern, she was also asked to stay on as a full-time faculty member at the school. Johnson, however, chose private practice because it fit her personal philosophy of treating patients with the same care and respect as she would her own family.

“That philosophy is a good fit at Harvey Dental, too,” Harvey said. “We’ve always told people that ‘we’re happy to see you today or tomorrow’. That’s because, if you’re in pain, you shouldn’t have to wait. A toothache, a cracked tooth, whatever the issue – you shouldn’t have wait a week or ten days to see a dentist. Dr. Karen shares that philosophy. And having two dentists means we can make sure that you never have to.”

Karen is married to Ted Johnson and the couple share three children. They plan to re-locate to the Waupaca area next summer. When not in the office Johnson enjoys cooking and outdoor activities with her family and friends. Her latest accomplishment was hiking and camping to the base of the Grand Canyon with her husband last month.

Scroll to Top