The award recipient for dentistry is a pioneer in the specialty field
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP (Canine, Feline), FAVD, has been a pioneer in the creation of the veterinary dentistry specialty. His achievements in the field have helped earn him recognition in the 2024 Veterinary Heroes program supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center as an award recipient in the dentistry category sponsored by PRN Pharmacal.
Bellows had been working at a veterinary clinic for in Florida 10 years when a friend approached him about joining him at a dentistry wet lab. Bellows returned from that lab noticing how his patients really needed dental services. As luck would have it, his practice was located in a shopping mall, next to a human dentist whose practice was not super busy and who loved animals. The dentist next door would go on to teach Bellows about dentistry for several years.
“At the time, there weren’t very many veterinarians [who] were into dentistry. There were 5 of them [who] were going around the country and giving [educational] seminars. They were wanting to form a specialty, so they formed the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, and I got certified by them. That was back in 1988. Then the [American Veterinary Medical Association] said that isn’t a specialty, it’s an academy. So the college was formed in 1989, I believe, and I became a board-certified veterinary dentist in 1990,” Bellows explained in a dvm360 interview.
Bellows went on to become involved in the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry and would go on to serve as its president for 6 years. Today, there are more than 250 veterinary dentists.
He practiced veterinary medicine for more than 20 before opening his own practice, according to his nominator. Hometown Animal Hospital and All Pets Dental in Weston, Florida, continues to be operated by Bellows as the owner and a practitioner.
“He is known for his hometown vibe and bedside manner. The clients absolutely adore him,” the nominator wrote.
Over the course of his career, Bellows has worked on committees, helped provide grants for colleges, and educated veterinary professionals. His work within veterinary dentistry has allowed him not only to provide better care for his patients but also to help others across the globe provide better dental care for their patients as well.
“He has helped thousands of veterinarians and veterinary technicians advance their dentistry skills through lectures, webinars and wet labs,” his nominator wrote. “Dr Bellows offers his cell phone and personal email to anyone that has questions.He has Facetimed many general practitioners in the middle of a procedure to walk them through [it, which is] often a flap or interpreting a radiograph.”
Additionally, Bellows is an international speaker, who will be presenting sessions at the 2024 Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California. He has also written book chapters and peer-reviewed articles, and has been featured in many veterinary magazines, according to his nominator. These publications include dvm360, which continues to feature his “Dentistry A to Z” series.
Bellows plans to receive his award alongside 11 other distinguished inductees of dvm360’s Veterinary Heroes program during a luncheon celebration at the Long Beach Convention Center. The special event will take place during the Fetch dvm360 conference on December 8, 2024, at 11:30 AM PST. All conference attendees are invited to attend.
The 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by corporate sponsor Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.
The dentistry category for the 2024 Veterinary Heroes program is supported by PRN Pharmacal.