PDA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
JAY R . WELLS III , DDS
The Annual Awards Committee presented the 2021 Pennsylvania Dental Association Distinguished Service Award to Dr . Jay R . Wells III for his leadership and service in his community and organized dentistry at the local , state and national level .
In addition to his involvement in the dental profession , Dr . Wells served two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and actively promoted water fluoridation in all PA communities . Described by the Dental Society of Western Pennsylvania ( DSWP ) as an “ ethical , diplomatic , kind and hardworking volunteer ,” Dr . Wells has inspired many dentists to join and become involved in organized dentistry . He is an active volunteer with an interest in the area of government relations and an advocate for dentists to be elected to state and federal political offices to give dentistry a voice .
Dr . Wells serves his community as a volunteer to the Boy Scouts of America , the Lions Club and his church . After more than 25 years in private practice , he was a staff dentist at the State Correctional Institution in Waynesburg and Fayette for 12 years .
The Annual Awards Committee agreed with the members of the DSWP when they wrote that “ faith , family and dentistry are his life ,” and PDA is honored to name Dr . Wells as the recipient of the 2021 PDA Distinguished Service Award for his numerous contributions and dedication to organized dentistry .
Dr . Wells ’ remarks : To say that I was in shock when I received the letter announcing the PDA Distinguished Service Award is an understatement . What a humbling feeling came across me while thinking of all of the hardworking members across Pennsylvania who continually work to achieve the goals of organized dentistry so that all dental patients receive better and better treatment as time goes on . Many thanks to the Dental Society of Western Pennsylvania for nominating me . I ’ ve always thought of myself as just being a plodder following requests to help as they came along . Dentistry is not just a job or a profession , but a close-knit family to me . I never want to stop meeting and interacting with my colleagues and staff members on the local , state and national levels . These gatherings provide new opportunities for me to give whatever is possible so that tomorrow is always better than today .
JULY / AUGUST 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 21