T​he annual meeting of the Kentucky Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy was held on August 22, 2026, jointly with the Kentucky Sections of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. The meeting was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Louisville Airport and Expo Center.

The meeting was attended by Region 4 Trustee Dr. Kim Gardner, who gave an excellent presentation on the work of the Pierre Fauchard Academy at the national and international level. There are 7,000 members of PFA internationally, with 11 global regions and 142 local sections.

Dr. Kim Gardner, Dr. Rodrigo Fuentealba, Dr. Sean Aiken and Dr. Tom McConnell.

Three New Fellows Inducted

The Kentucky Section proudly inducted three new members into fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy this year, each recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession.

Dr. Jill Keaton

Dr. Keaton is currently the Dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine. She received her Bachelors degree from Berea College and her DMD from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. She also received a Masters Degree in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine from the Herman Ostrow University of Southern California School of Dentistry and did a General Practice Residency at the VA Medical Center in Louisville. Prior to her position at TCDM, she served as the coordinator for Big Sandy Community & Technical College dental hygiene, dental assisting and community dental health programs. Since joining TCDM in February 2023 as associate dean of clinical affairs, Keaton has worked to prepare the application for initial accreditation of the dental school with the Commission on Dental Accreditation. She also collaborated with the architectural team to design the dental school, formed partnerships with area stakeholders for external rotations, and networked with other dental school educators to learn more about the changing landscape in dental education with new technology and teaching methodology. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Dr. Sean Aiken

Dr. Aiken is from Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelors degree from William and Mary, where he lettered for 4 years in baseball and was the team captain. He received a Masters degree in Physiology and Biophysics from Louisville’s Medical School before attending University of Louisville School of Dentistry where he received his dental degree and an additional Masters degree in Oral Biology. While in school, her received the Community Outreach Scholarship and the James C. Moore Scholarship for his academics and passion for community service. He has been active in the American Dental Association and the Louisville Dental Society. He is a member of the American College of Dentists and he has served on several overseas dental trips to treat the underserved. Dr. Aiken also lectures for the American Student Dental Association. He maintains a successful private practice in St. Matthews.

Dr. Rodrigo Fuentealba

Dr. Fuentealba earned his dental degree from the University of Concepcion in Chile. He served in the Chilean Navy and with the navy’s support he pursued advanced training in fixed prosthodontics, implant dentistry, occlusion and temporomandibular disorders at the University of Concepcion. He is currently the Assistant Dean for Digital Dentistry at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He is a perfectionist and imparts that style of dentistry to his students and colleagues.

Dr. Gardner inducted each of these outstanding dentists into fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Jill Keaton and Dr. Kim Gardner.

Certificates of Merit Awarded

PFA awarded Certificates of Merit and $250 each to fourth-year students at both dental schools in Kentucky this year. Abigail Hacker was the recipient from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, and Matt Jacobson was the recipient from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Congratulations to both of these recent graduates!

Dr. Breacya Washington and members of the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Student Professionalism and Ethics Association.

Students Engage in Professionalism & Ethics

During the meeting, students from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Student Professionalism and Ethics Association (SPEA) gave a presentation about their recent activities. Two students from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry SPEA group also attended.

Dr. Kim Gardner addresses the joint meeting.