The World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) is excited to announce the 2025 edition of its Annual Awards, celebrating excellence in orthodontics across a variety of categories. Open to members and non-members, these awards honor outstanding contributions to the field, recognize inspiring stories, and support emerging talent. Applications and nominations are due by March 31, 2025.
Below is a summary of each award, including eligibility criteria and submission details.
The Lee W. Graber Orthodontics Changing Lives Award
Named after WFO past president and current Secretary General Dr. Lee W. Graber, this award honors WFO Fellows who share compelling stories of how orthodontic treatment transformed a patient’s life. Submissions must include a video narrative (MP4 or MOV format, up to 4 minutes) featuring the patient and orthodontist. While the narrative can be in the patient’s native language, it must include English subtitles. Winning stories will be featured on WFO’s professional and social media platforms, highlighting the life-changing impact of orthodontic care.
Roberto Justus Young Speakers Travel Scholarship
This scholarship, named in honor of Dr. Roberto Justus, a distinguished mentor, researcher, and past WFO president, supports young orthodontists in sharing their expertise on an international stage. It is awarded to WFO Fellows, 38 years old or younger at the time of application, who have demonstrated excellence in orthodontics. The scholarship encourages recipients to present lectures at an affiliate national or regional meeting outside their home region, fostering global collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Athanasios E. Athanasiou Best Orthodontic Master’s Thesis Award
This award, named for WFO past president and renowned educator Dr. Athanasios E. Athanasiou, celebrates exceptional Master’s theses written by WFO Fellows. Eligible theses must have been completed within two years of the nomination date in a WFO-recognized orthodontic specialty training program. Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and an invitation to the WFO President’s breakfast session at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session.
Allan R. Thom World Orthodontic Health Day Art Competition
Honoring Dr. Allan R. Thom, a past WFO president who was instrumental in establishing World Orthodontic Health Day, this award celebrates artistic expression related to orthodontics. Eligible submissions include dimensional art pieces (analog or digital) created by patients of WFO Fellows or student members. Artwork must be verified by the treating orthodontist or student member and will be judged in three age-based categories. This competition emphasizes the creative and personal side of orthodontics, highlighting its transformative impact through art.
Submit Your Applications and Nominations
Celebrate excellence in orthodontics by participating in the WFO Annual Awards. Whether you’re sharing an inspiring story, groundbreaking research, or creative artwork, these awards provide a platform to showcase your contributions. Submit your applications and nominations by March 31, 2025.
To be eligible for nomination for The Allan R. Thom WOHD Art Competition, the art submissions must be from a patient of a Fellow or Student Member of the WFO in good standing. Submissions of art pieces, either in an analog or digital form, will be verified and sent to the Executive Committee by the treating orthodontist or student WFO member. The annual competition is divided into three age groups relating to patient age on the date the submitted art was created.
