Skilled Dentist – Altavista, VA

Get to Know Gwen Hooks, DDS

Altavista Virginia dentist Gwen Hooks D D S

For Dr. Hooks, her goal with every patient is simple: to make them happy! Whether this involves alleviating pain or restoring someone’s smile, she always goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients leave our dental office feeling satisfied. She looks forward to getting to know you and your loved ones and serving you for years to come, but before scheduling an appointment, you can learn more about her by reading below.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?

Dr. Hooks always knew that she wanted to be in the medical field so she could help people. Her original inclination was to be a medical doctor, but her brother, who was already a dentist, convinced her that dentistry was the way to go. She had been studying for the MCAT (medical school entrance exam) and shadowing family doctors when he suggested this. He had her come spend time in his dental office, and after a day, she was hooked! Every patient that walked in the door, he was the one to help them. Now as a dentist, she likes that she personally gets to fix people’s problems and give them healthy, beautiful smiles.

Closeup of dentist with dental tools in lab coat pocket

Where Did You Study Dentistry?

Outside view of dental school building

Dr. Hooks completed her undergraduate education at Liberty University, and she went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University Dental School. Since then, she has taken training focused on CAD/CAM dentistry, and she has also become a member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association.

Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?

Doctor Hooks and her family Person holding a professional camera
Beagle dog outdoors Eggs in bowl with a whisk

All of Dr. Hooks’ free time is dedicated to her family. She and her husband have been married for 17 years, and they have two children, Emma and Rusty (along with a toy poodle named Hershey). Her son is one of the top five golfers in the nation for his age division, and you’ll often find Dr. Hooks walking the course with him. Her daughter is into indoor and beach volleyball, so Dr. Hooks loves to play with her whenever she can. Otherwise, she likes to do anything outdoors, including hiking, tubing, and playing disc golf.