Our Story
Dr. Linda J. Thornton
Dr. Thornton is a preeminent Board-certified prosthodontist and dental laboratory technician. She is presently the prosthodontic preceptor at LECOM and on staff at the DeFuniak Springs Dental Clinic.
During her 19 years of service at Kornberg School of Dental Medicine (Temple University) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Thornton was appointed to the faculty position of Associate Professor of Prosthodontics. She also served as Director for the Prosthodontic Post-graduate Program, Clinic Chief and Course Curriculum Director for Pre-graduate Prosthodontics.
Dr. Thornton is the first black woman in the United States to be Board-certified in Prosthodontics. She is an alumna of Monmouth College (now University) in Eatontown, New Jersey, where she received her BS degree (biology and chemistry). In 1975, she received her DDS degree from New York University College of Dentistry. With no prior military obligations, Dr. Thornton volunteered for military service and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. After nearly 20 years of service, Dr. Thornton retired having received an unprecedented TWO U. S. Army Medals for Meritorious Service, Army Achievement Award, Army Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Award, National Defense Medal, Army Service and Overseas Ribbons.
During her tenure in the Army, Dr. Thornton completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Prosthodontics at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and became the first black female Board-certified Prosthodontist in the United States Army. She then earned her Executive Master of Science degree in Health Care Administration and completed another postdoctoral fellowship in Dental Ergonomics at New York University. In addition, Dr. Thornton served as dental laboratory technician and Quality Assurance Officer for over 20 years.
