Dentist-to-the-Stars on a Mission to Promote K9 Oral Health
The American Dog reports Photo by Christopher Appoldt
She has movie-star looks and is totally at home on the red carpet, hanging with the likes of Martha Stewart, Howard and Beth Ostrosky Stern, TV legend Geraldo Rivera, musician Diane Birch, and Lorenzo "The Bachelor" Borghese. Even at her office, wearing a white lab coat with her long, blonde hair pinned back, sought-after New York City dentist Dr. Jennifer Jablow looks like a stunning celebrity, a fact that comes across clearly when she appears on TV (which is often).
But for this dedicated animal lover, dogs are the real celebrities. So when she's not working on the pearly whites of New York City's boldface names"”including rock stars, fashionistas, and the world-famous Ford Models"”Jennifer spends her time rescuing dogs and volunteering to help raise awareness of pet adoption. "Rescued dogs are so grateful when you open your heart and home to them," she says. "They overcome so much in their lives, and yet they're still open to loving again. That's why I admire them"”they're real stars!"
Her proudest title isn't top aesthetic dentist; it's top dog advocate. Besides being a loving mom to her own two Shih Tzus, Chester and Bianca, Jennifer networks tirelessly for less-fortunate dogs on Facebook, and coordinates transporting rescues from down South to up North"”North Shore Animal League America, to be exact, the country's largest no-kill animal shelter, where she recently co-chaired November's 2009 DogCatemy Celebrity Gala.
Jennifer is a firm believer that a happy, healthy smile and sweet, kissable breath help overlooked shelter dogs find loving forever homes. "If you have a toothache, you're not in the best mood, whether you're a person or a pet," she explains. But pets with poor teeth can only express dental discomfort by behaving forlorn and withdrawn, which sadly decreases their chances of adoption. So, like a determined "dog-with-a-bone," the Doc flexes her expertise on behalf of North Shore's adoptable dogs. She arranged for human-grade dental equipment to go to the dogs, literally: In an unusual confluence of human and animal medicine, Jennifer got dental equipment donated to North Shore's animal hospital"”the same equipment used on her own patients"”"to further North Shore's abililty to provide for their animals' dental needs and help their mission to find them great homes," she says.
She was dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" by Men's Vogue, but Jennifer's secret ambition, she confesses, is to be the "Doggie Tooth Fairy," giving equal attention to human and K9 canines. And she's succeeding. Now, thanks to Jennifer and her friend and fellow dog lover, North Shore spokesperson Beth Ostrosky Stern, all dogs across America can sport spotless smiles. The two smart blondes have collaborated to launch their unique new product, Pawfect Smile, the K9 version of IntelliWhite, Jennifer's signature oral-care system which takes the handy form of a pen; the revolutionary pet dental pen launches in April, and Jennifer and Beth promise to donate a percentage of proceeds back to their shared pet cause, North Shore Animal League America.
"We've formulated Pawfect Smile with human-grade ingredients, in flavors pets and people can agree on"”vanilla and peanut butter," Jennifer reveals. "So dogs will love the way it tastes, and we'll love the way their breath smells!" The road to a long and happy relationship with your dog starts with Spot's teeth, she concludes: "Nothing ages people or pets faster than dental disease. Bacteria in the mouth can break away and travel; this is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other systemic diseases. So by taking care of your pets' oral health, you're increasing their longevity, and this will prolong the happy times you spend together."
