Tara Schafer

Tara Schafer serves as Department Chair and Professor at the Dental College of Georgia within Augusta University, holding dual appointments in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Department of Oral Biology. She earned a DMD (1995) and an MS in Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (1998) from the Medical College of Georgia. Certified in Pediatric Dentistry (BCPD, 2007) and specialized sedation techniques, her academic career spans over two decades with active roles in admissions, faculty development, and clinical governance.

• Research Focus: Pediatric dentistry, oral biology, fluoridated milk efficacy, teledentistry applications, and resin-infiltrative restorative materials.
• Teaching Portfolio: Courses including Pediatric Dentistry Clinics, Clinical Ethics, Craniofacial Board Clinics, and Journal Clubs.

Her recent publications highlight innovations in dental materials and rural healthcare access through teledentistry, while her awards include recognition from the Pierre Fauchard Academy (2025) and Phi Kappa Phi (2023). She actively participates in committees such as the Infection Control Committee and Clinic Chairs Committee.