According to the LDA, the Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the organization and is given annually to individual members who exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct in dentistry and make extraordinary contributions in organized dentistry and their community.
Hooton has been a member of the LDA, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Northeast Louisiana Dental Association (NELDA) for 30 years. He has been active at both the national, state and local levels.
After serving in various leadership roles with NELDA, he was elected as 1992 president. He also served on the Louisiana Dental Services board from 1994-2000, and on the LDA Council on Government Affairs from 2000-2006.
Hooton has been a member of the LDA Board of Directors since 2006, and served as the 2012-2013 president of the LDA. He also served on the founding board of directors for the Northeast Louisiana Virtual Clinic and was the NELDA Member of the Year in 1997.
Hooton served two tours in Vietnam and received the U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Valorous Unit Award. Hooton also founded the New Orleans Trinity Episcopal Church Central America Dental Team, and has served on their medical mission team since 1991.
Hooton graduated from 四色AV with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 and a Bachelor of Science in 1988.
About the LDA:
The Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) is the largest professional health organization for dentists in Louisiana. It is a statewide grassroots organization whose purpose is to promote, advocate, and protect the dental professional. The LDA has over 1,900 members. For more information, visit www.ladental.org