Scholarships and more for dental hygiene student
Megan Fletcher
Second-year dental hygiene student Megan Fletcher at Texas A&M College of Dentistry has multiple reasons to smile. She recently received scholarships and a travel grant, including the Brian & Jerri Schooley Dental Scholarship for academic achievement and extracurricular activities, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation Undergraduate Travel Grant, the Carolyn Ware Bartlett Dental Hygiene Scholarship and the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry Scholarship.
Fletcher said she plans to use the travel grant to attend the annual Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association Conference Feb. 27-March 1 in San Marcos. She hopes to work in the Austin area after graduation.
“I chose dental hygiene because I have a strong passion for preventive health care,” Fletcher said. “After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in health promotion, I knew prevention was the area of health care where I truly felt inspired. Dental hygiene allows me to play a direct role in helping patients prevent tooth loss and reduce plaque and calculus that can contribute to both oral and systemic diseases.”
“Patient interaction is truly my wheelhouse. I love building relationships and working one-on-one with people from all backgrounds, and I believe everyone deserves high-quality, compassionate care,” she said. “Being able to educate, motivate, and empower patients to take control of their oral health is incredibly rewarding to me and is what makes dental hygiene such a meaningful career choice.”
“I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Megan throughout her time in the program,” said Maureen Brown, clinical assistant professor and interim executive director of the dental hygiene program. “She consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism and reliability, always arriving well prepared and on time. Her academic background, including a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health promotion and behavioral science and a minor in social work, has provided her with a strong foundation that enhances her effectiveness as a clinician and supports a patient-centered approach to care. Her attention to detail and clinical insight are consistently evident in both her work and decision-making. I have observed her steady growth within the program, during which she has earned the respect of both faculty and peers through her dependability and thoughtful approach to learning.”