Dr. Turunen received her Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and Master of Science in Periodontics degrees all from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Upon graduation from dental school she was honored with awards from the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators for outstanding achievement in the disciplines of Periodontics and Operative Dentistry, respectively. While pursuing her speciality degree she held a part-time faculty position at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and practiced General Dentistry part-time in the private sector.

She was an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas for four years full-time and part-time for two years. She also held a faculty position at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and was a consultant for Block Drug Co. in Jersey City, N.J.

She has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology since 1992. Other professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Dallas County Dental Society, American Academy of Periodontology, American Academy of Osseointegration, Southwest Society of Periodontology and the Irving Dental Study Club (former president).

She lectures locally, nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including Periodontal Plastic Surgery, Dental Implants, and Periodontal Tissue Assessment. She has presented research at the annual meetings of the American Association of Dental Research (1989 ) and the International Association of Dental Research (1991).