"Orthodontics Changing Lives" Competition and Award was established by the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) Executive Committee in 2022, and named after former WFO President, Doctor Lee W. Graber. The annual award may be presented to WFO Fellows who, in the judgment of the WFO, provide an orthodontic related story that demonstrates a“changed life” because of treatment for their orthodontic patient. The WFO Fellow and/or their patient must relate the story, in a video format (MP4 or MOV format) no more than 4 minutes long, that can be used on WFO professional and social media platforms. The narrative can be in the native language but must then be subtitled in English. The intent of the award is to encourage WFO Fellows to participate in a competition where they would share patient stories about how orthodontics has impacted their patient and "was a life changing experience".
The award is named after Dr. Lee W. Graber. Apart from his immeasurable service to the WFO and our profession. Dr. Graber has always been a keen advocate of encouraging dental colleagues to include orthodontic treatment into their patient’s oral healthcare plans. His early research work on the psychosocial aspects of malocclusion, and support for the integration of social science-based concepts to aid in the provision of high-quality care, have globally impacted orthodontic residents, clinicians, and the patients they treat. Through research, teaching, professional associations and in private practice, Dr. Graber has devoted his career to positively changing lives by way of orthodontics.
Submissions for the Award. Submissions for the award may be made directly to the WFO Central Office or through a current WFO Executive Committee member by any WFO Fellow or Student Member in good standing, or any WFO Affiliate Organization in good standing. The WFO central office shall forward the nomination to the WFO Awards Committee.
Eligibility. To be eligible for The Lee W. Graber Orthodontics Changing Lives Award, an applicant must be a Fellow or Student Member of the WFO in good standing at the time of application and in the year of the award presentation.
Process. Submissions for this award may be made to the WFO from the 1st of June the previous year and must be received no later than 31st March of the awarding year. The Awards Committee will make recommendations to the WFO Executive Committee for final determinationofallawards. Supportiveinformationshallbesubmittedontheformprovided (Annex A) and shall include the curriculum vitae of the treating orthodontist in addition to the video (MP4 or MOV), the submission must also include a short narrative of no more than three (3) pages in length, authored by the submitting Fellow or organization, describing how orthodontic treatment positively changed the life of their patient. The award winner(s) will be announced, via the WFO media platforms, at least 1 month before the World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) of that year.