Dr. Jason Parker of New Orleans, La., was named this years recipient of the New Dentist Award during the 128th Annual Session of the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) on April 12, 2008, at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
The New Dentist Award is given to an individual member who has been in practice for less than 10 years, and who has made an outstanding contribution of his time and talents for the betterment of mankind. Such contributions include civic involvement, public service and unselfish devotion to the dental profession.
Dr. Parker received his bachelors degree in biology and a business administration minor from Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport. After completing his pediatric dental residency from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, Parker began private practice in 2001 with offices in Metairie and Slidell.
He has served LDA and NODA in many capacities, including serving as a delegate at the House of Delegates Annual Legislative Session, on the NODA Conference Committee, on the LDA Council on Communications, and on the LDA Council on Governmental Affairs. He was appointed to the NODA Board of Governors and he is the second vice president of NODA. Parker was bestowed the honor of 2004 New Dentist Award of Excellence by NODA.
From 2000-2004 Parker personally funded and also secured Rotary International Grants for an abroad dental project between the Rotary Club of the West Bank of New Orleans and the Rotary Club of Ocho Rios, Jamaica that was affectionately named Smiles from N.O. to Ocho. This project enabled Parker and his dental team to provide comprehensive dental care to thousands of children in Jamaica that otherwise may not have been able to receive it.
While serving as NODAs Chairman of Childrens Dental Health Month, he volunteered, set up, or helped raise money for events city wide at Childrens Hospital, the Louisiana Childrens Museum, Audubon Zoo, ABC Wide World of Sports three on three basketball regional championship, and Lakeside Mall, to name a few. He organized and promoted NODAs sponsorship of the popular childrens band Imagination Movers CD release party who have since moved on to nation wide fame through the Walt Disney Corporation.
Parker helped facilitate proclamations from the state of Louisiana governors office and from the mayors of New Orleans and Slidell in recognition of NCDHM. Over the years, he has spread the word about the importance of childrens dentistry on local and nationwide television and radio stations through live satellite media tours and numerous other media events. Parker was instrumental in making the ADAs centerpiece Give Kids A Smile a success in New Orleans.
He worked with Operation Blessing Medical Volunteer Corps to set up a clinic for underprivileged children and delivered comprehensive dental care to more than 100 children in the most devastated and underserved areas of east New Orleans for NODA s Give Kids A Smile project post-Katrina. He has recently been asked to be a guest speaker in June at the ADAs Annual Give Kids A Smile Symposium in Chicago.
Parker assisted and played a major role in the American Dental Associations documentary titled Hurricane Katrina and Dentistry. This film portrayed the disaster, effects and impact of Hurricane Katrina on the dental profession in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. He was invited to San Francisco, Ca. to speak at the ADA Annual Session alongside Barbara Walters to report on the status of the dental profession two years post Katrina.
Parker has been or currently is on the medical staff at East Jefferson Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Tulane Hospital for Children, Northshore Regional Medical Center, West Jefferson Medical Center and Childrens Regional Hospital.
Parkers professional memberships also include the Southwestern Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Louisiana Pediatric Dental Association, the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association, English Turn Property Owners Association and the American Society of Dentistry for Children.
Most recently, Parker was selected as one of 25 pediatric dentists from around the country to participate in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundations Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children Leadership Institute II at the prestigious Kellogg School of Management.
I am a Registered Dental Hygienist who is passionate about helping children have good positive dental experiences and healthy smiles. I love working with children and enjoy forming relationships with my patients based on trust, kindness, and compassion. I have been working with Dr. Parker for 18 years. My goal is to empower my patients to take great pride in their smiles and oral health.
I obtained my Bachelors of Science degree in General Studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. I received my Associates degree in Dental Hygiene from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.
I love kids and have always known that pediatrics is where I truly belong. I enjoy building trusting relationships with my patients to create a fun and exciting experience. It makes my day when a child is excited to come back to the dentist. I received my EDDA certification at the LSU School of Dentistry in 2007.
I have 21 years of experience as a dental assistant, 15 of which have been with Dr. Parker. I enjoy working with him and have promised to work beside him until his retirement. I love my job and am truly blessed to work with such an amazing team.
I enjoy working with children and Im passionate about being a patient advocate. Calming fears, answering questions, and helping to make treatment possible for children is something I find rewarding in the position I am in.