Welcome to a new experience in family dentistry. This is Bela Family Dentistry of Kershaw, and we are dedicated to continuously exceeding your expectations through…
Dr. Howell, an experienced and compassionate general dentist, has been the primary practitioner of 114 Kershaw Dental since 1975. Growing up in Williston, South Carolina, Dr. Howell has deep ties to the state. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clemson University in 1970, he then went on to obtain his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1974. He was awarded Presidents List for Smile Train, an organization that provides corrective surgery for children with cleft palates.
Meeting the community’s needs for oral health is Dr. Howell’s number one priority. He feels this is done through an acute understanding of the patient’s wants and needs, supported by his experience and knowledge. His love of cosmetic and restorative dentistry led him to become certified in CAD/CAM technology, allowing him the ability to design and deliver crowns in one appointment. Dr. Howell serves as an evaluator for Dr. Gordon Christensen, which he attributes to staying current with the latest dental products. He loves any opportunity to help patients eager to improve their smile, or simply looking to maintain optimum oral health.
When asked what he likes most about practicing in Kershaw, “Being in a small town you are able to develop a special rapport, which allows you to deliver an exceptional patient experience.”
Dr. Howell is married with two daughters, and four grandsons. In his leisure time he enjoys sporting clays, and working with his springer spaniel, Rudy.
Dr. Howell Transitions to New Role with Bela Family Dentistry
After serving the wonderful, close knit community of Kershaw for 47 years, Dr. John Howell has made the decision that the time has come for him to slow down in his dental career. As most of you know, Dr. Howell and Mrs. Howell have two daughters and four rambunctious grandsons that are the light of their life. This is a positive change that will allow Dr. Howell to spend much more time with his family and really invest in his grandsons in each season of their young lives.
The good news is that Dr. Howell will still be with us at Bela Family Dentistry of Kershaw serving in a different role. Although he may not be working clinically, providing fillings, crowns and such, he will still be an active part of our team. Dr. Howell’s new role will allow him to spend some time in the office each week to consult, support and have conversation with the patients in the office. He has valued building relationships with each of you through the years and he wants to be present to continue to support you and also see your families grow, talk about your hunting season, reminisce on past events and continue to enjoy a relationship with each of you.
Here are some words from Dr. Howell:
“I have greatly enjoyed serving the Kershaw community for many years. The people I have had the opportunity to meet and the relationships I have had the pleasure of being a part of have brought great joy to my life. I believe in Bela Family Dentistry and am very excited about the impactful things we are doing and will continue to do for many years to come. I have two talented partners, Dr. Joanna Cornelius and Dr. Maggie Sullivan who are also strong advocates for relationship based dentistry. I rest easy knowing that these two amazing individuals will continue to serve you all. I sincerely trust your care to them and know that everyone in our dental family will be very well cared for. It is refreshing to see the new procedures, technology and techniques that these two doctors bring to our team to better serve each of you. I am looking forward to the additional time with my family, more time on my farm and enjoying all of the activities with my grandsons. I will also look forward to seeing you in the office and being able to spend some time in personal conversation and answering any dental questions you may have. Rest assured that I am still here to support you and I look forward to seeing you soon!”
Dr. Joanna Cornelius, a passionate and committed general dentist, has been in practice with Bela Dentistry of Kershaw since 2015. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, Dr. Cornelius moved to Bluffton, South Carolina, with her family in 2004 and has spent more than half of her life in the South. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Coastal Carolina University, she went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
For the past decade, Dr. Cornelius has dedicated herself to evolving her knowledge and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education in order to provide the most progressive and all-encompassing treatment to her patients. Areas in which she has expertise include, clear aligner therapy (invisible ortho), full mouth rehabilitation, restorative implant dentistry, temporomandibular joint therapy, and aesthetic dentistry. One of her greatest passions is facial esthetics, Dr. Cornelius has been certified as a master injector by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. These services include botulinum toxin treatment for migraines and esthetics, dermal fillers for the entire face, and PDO thread treatments. Dr. Cornelius brings a fresh, innovative perspective to the forever changing and evolving world of general dentistry and is devoted to providing her patients with the most advanced and appropriate solutions. It is Dr. Cornelius’ belief that every patient should be treated individually, by first evaluating their total health and then creating a plan tailored to their own specific goals.
Dr. Cornelius has fully embraced southern culture and the south’s strong familial and community values, and she has built strong professional and personal ties with the state of South Carolina. When asked what she likes most about practicing in Kershaw, she responded, “working in a town like Kershaw reminds me that dentistry is more than just fixing teeth. It is about building relationships with people and letting them know that their health and wellbeing is my number one priority. I am grateful that not only the staff, but also the town of Kershaw has allowed me to be a part of something very special which Dr. Howell has built over the last 40 years.”
Outside of work, Dr. Cornelius enjoys cooking, fishing, golfing, visiting the Carolina beaches, and playing with her two Pugs, Dudley and Penny.
Leave the limitations of dentures behind with full mouth dental implants! We can replace a full set of teeth with a life-like prosthesis that attaches to four or more dental implants permanently secured in your jawbone. Enjoy eating all your favorite foods again, talking and laughing confidently, and showing off a youthful, attractive smile!
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