Dr. Donald Balhoff is a native of Baton Rouge and an alumnus of Catholic High School (Baton Rouge). He completed his undergraduate studies and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1995 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. While in college, Dr. Balhoff was a three-year captain of the Notre Dame Men’s Water Polo team.
His dental studies were completed in 1999 at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans. During dental school, Dr. Balhoff was a member and president of the C. Edmund Kells Honor Society. He went on to receive his orthodontics specialty certification in 2001 at Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Balhoff has been a solo practitioner in his own orthodontics practice since 2004.
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Dr. Balhoff stays current with the latest advances in dentistry and his specialty of orthodontics through his membership in multiple organizations and extensive participation in dental and orthodontic continuation education courses across the country. Dr. Balhoff is proficient in the use of straight-wire orthodontic techniques, the use of functional appliances, clear aligners, and the placement and use of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs). He has been designated as a Gold Plus Provider of Invisalign® and is one of the leading, most experienced providers of Invisalign treatment in the Acadiana region.
Dr. Balhoff is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the American Dental Association (ADA), the Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO), the Louisiana Association of Orthodontists (LAO), the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA), and the Acadiana District Dental Association (ADDA).
On the state level, Dr. Balhoff served as treasurer and an executive board member of the ADDA from 2008-2018.
On the national level, Dr. Balhoff has been the AAO’s Political Action Committee captain for Louisiana since 2014. In this role, Dr. Balhoff has met with numerous United States Congressmen and Congresswomen on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, to discuss and advocate for the political concerns of the AAO and the orthodontic profession.From 2014-2021, Dr. Balhoff also had the honor of being chosen to represent all the orthodontists in Louisiana as Louisiana’s only member of the AAO’s House of Delegates, which determines policies for the entire orthodontic profession. Dr. Balhoff is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the SAO, which has almost 2000 orthodontist members in 11 states throughout the Southeastern United States. Dr. Balhoff will become President of the SAO in 2027.
Because of his extensive knowledge and experience in dentistry, the latest orthodontic techniques, and the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Balhoff has been a guest speaker for dental professional organizations, civic organizations, and schools.
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY
Dr. Balhoff is also involved in the Acadiana community. He is an active member of St. John the Evangelist (Cathedral) parish in Lafayette as a Mass lector. Dr. Balhoff also volunteers extensively as the head coach/moderator of the Cathedral-Carmel School swim team and an assistant swim coach and USA Swimming meet official with the City of Lafayette Aquatics USA swim team.
Dr. Balhoff resides in Lafayette with his wife Kristin, daughter Ella, son Jack, and daughter Lucy. His time outside of orthodontics is spent exercising regularly at Red Lerille’s health club, reading history and political thriller novels, and spending time with his family.
