Dr Sawyer graduated from the University of Sydney in 1984, and was in private practice in Sydney until 1996. She then relocated to Melbourne, Singapore and ultimately New York, completing her postgraduate training at NYU in January 2001.

Dr Sawyer returned to the University of Sydney as a lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry in January 2001, and combined this with an appointment as a Dental Officer (Paediatric Dentistry), and later as a Specialist Paediatric Dentist, at the United Dental Hospital of Sydney (now Sydney Dental Hospital) until November 2002. She was Head of Discipline, Paediatric Dentistry, at the University of Sydney from November 2001 to December 2003, coordinating both the undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Dr Sawyer commenced full-time private practice in Crows Nest in 2004. She has accreditation for theatre use at Prince of Wales Private Hospital, North Shore Private Hospital, Crows Nest Day Surgery, St George Private Hospital and Armidale Private Hospital. She is a visiting specialist with HNEAHS and travels to the New England area once a month, alternating between Tamworth and Armidale. She is accredited with both Tamworth Base Hospital and Armidale Regional Hospital. Dr Sawyer is the Managing Director of Crows Nest Day Surgery.

Dr Sawyer is presently working towards a Master of Early Childhood Studies with Macquarie University. She also travels to Papua New Guinea as a Visiting Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of Papua New Guinea.