Dr. Kathleen T. O’Loughlin Earns 2021 Distinguished Service Award

The American Dental Association (ADA) has awarded ADA Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, DMD, MPH, with the ADA Distinguished Service Award following a special recognition at its annual meeting in Las Vegas, ahead of her retirement after 12 outstanding years with the ADA and 40 years of service to the dental profession.

“It was my honor to surprise O’Loughlin with the 2021 Distinguished Service Award during SmileCon’s opening general session,” said ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, DDS, MD. “After 12 years of leadership at the ADA and 40 years of service to dentistry, O’Loughlin is well-deserving of this distinction. On the eve of her retirement, this recognition is a small token of our appreciation.”

O’Loughlin became the first female executive director of the ADA in 2009, following a career as a clinician, an educator, an industry executive, an advocate, and a trailblazer in the field of dentistry. After 20 years of owning a private practice, O’Loughlin received her Master of Public Health degree in health care administration and management in 1998. She then served as the CEO of Delta Dental of Massachusetts from 2001-2008, and as chief dental officer for United Health Group from 2008-2009.

“I am grateful to have worked with an amazing team at the ADA, and together, we have shaped our association into one that is committed to serving our members and moving our profession forward,” says O’Loughlin. “Indeed, dentistry the best profession on the planet, and working at the ADA has been one of the best experiences of my career.”