The Smiley Face Clinic

Carla graduated from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, with a Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Oral Health) in 2000. She has worked for the majority of her career as a dental hygienist in neuromuscular dental practices, and has trained extensively in the United States and Australia in this field of dentistry.

The Smiley Face Clinic was started after she found herself the mother of a thumb-sucking child. Her interest turned to oral and facial development that lead her to train with Sandra Coulson, from The Coulson Institute in 2010. Carla also trained with The Buteyko Clinic of Ireland in 2010 in California and is a qualified Breathing Educator.

Carla teaches Myofunctional therapy practice to dental and speech professionals from all over Australia with The Australian Orofacial Myofunctional Lecture Series. She also lectures locally and internationally regarding her work in child facial development and has been featured in various newspapers, magazines as well as on ABC radio. She is currently involved in research with the dental school at James Cook University Cairns, in regards to her digit sucking programs.