National award for teenage orthodontic patient

Joel Glanvill, aged 14, entered the Against the Odds competition to celebrate his orthodontist, Joe Dwyer of Sunlight Orthodontics in The Wirral.  Joel’s prize from the British Orthodontic Society for his winning entry is £750 worth of travel vouchers.

When Joel started his treatment, aged 12, his mother was worried about him. Jane Glanvill said: “He was insecure and his confidence was at a low ebb. Although he played football and had friends, he very rarely smiled and special occasions like birthdays or school photographs all carried the same horror for Joel.”

She described how when he was asked to smile he would force his lips over his teeth so he could mask them.  But as the treatment progressed, first with removable appliances to correct the jaw, followed by fixed braces, he gradually changed. Friends, relatives and teachers all commented on how his demeanour had improved.  He enjoyed going for his appointments and chose red elastics so he could show off his support for Liverpool every time he smiled.