Tarhyn Auger DMD 20 honored by Pierre Fauchard Academy

Tarhyn Auger DMD 20 didn’t even know that she had been nominated for the Pierre Fauchard Oral Health Foundation Student Scholarship until she received a “cryptic email” asking her to meet with Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter.

“When I asked what the meeting was about, she [Executive Assistant Lisa Case] wouldn’t tell me anything—just that it wasn’t anything bad, just a meeting,” Auger remembered.

“So then I went into his office, and he told me….that you are going to be the recipient of the Pierre Fauchard Award.”

The scholarship, which is awarded by the Pierre Fauchard Academy, is awarded to one third-year GSDM student annually who has demonstrated potential for developing into an outstanding leader in the profession, academic excellence, and the need for financial support.

“On behalf of the entire GSDM community, I’d like to congratulate Ms. Auger for being awarded this prestigious scholarship,” said Dean Hutter. “To be chosen by faculty for this scholarship is an honor, and Ms. Auger certainly is a deserving recipient.”

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an honorary dental service organization that was founded in 1936. The academy is named after Pierre Fauchard of France, who is recognized as the “Father of Modern Dentistry,” and has nearly 11,000 fellows worldwide.

The Oral Health Foundation of the Pierre Fauchard Academy serves as the philanthropic, non-profit organization for the Academy. The foundation offers student scholarships on an annual basis to all dental schools in the United States, Canada, and to selected dental schools worldwide.

At GSDM, Auger is involved with the Uniformed Dental Student Association, American Student Dental Association (ASDA), the Prosthodontics study club, and the Endodontics study club. She also volunteers at the Engagement Center.

Auger said she felt grateful to be selected for the scholarship.

“It feels good when you get recognition….to have the faculty notice the hard work that you’re putting in and think that what you’re doing is worth mentioning and worth recognizing,” she said.

Auger, who is originally from California, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduation, she will serve in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps.

Auger said that, for her, the most rewarding part of dentistry is changing people’s opinion of the profession.

“I like making people happy,” said Auger. “I like being able to change their perspective on dentistry…I’ve had a lot of patients come in with trepidation and to see them change their mindset is super rewarding.”