Sarah graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1992. After working in general dental practice, she began part time teaching at the university in 1995, initially in oral surgery and then restorative dentistry. Following this, she became a full-time clinical lecturer in restorative dentistry in 2001.
In 2008, she went on to complete her PhD in novel dental ceramics and then completed specialist training in 2013. Sarah is on the GDC specialist list in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics and endodontics.
Currently, Sarah is a senior clinical teacher and honorary consultant in restorative dentistry at the University of Sheffield. She is the undergraduate lead for learning and teaching in periodontology, lead for a number of prosthodontic clinical skills courses and director of student affairs. Her research areas involve pedagogical and clinical trial work.
Sarah has been actively engaged with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow since 2007, initially as an examiner for MFDS Part 1 and 2, then MFDS Part 1 Multiple Short Answer Lead examiner from 2011 to 2013, deputy convenor MFDS Part 2 (North West England) from 2015 to 2019 and a member of the dental education and training and professional development board since 2017.