Joanne Haines has been revealed as the winner of ‘Against the Odds’, the national competition organised by the British Orthodontic Society’s Orthodontic Specialists Group.
Joanne, a part-time practice nurse and mother of three who lives in Warwickshire, was very happy to have won the competition which aims to find the most inspiring account of orthodontic treatment.
When Joanne reached 40 years of age, she decided it was time to improve the ungainly smile that followed a childhood injury and failed dental treatment. With big gaps and badly protruding teeth, she saw three different dentists, asking all of them for help but to each one she said: ‘No braces!’
All of the dentists delivered the same response; that orthodontics was the only option. In the end, a combination of lingual braces and the support and care of her specialist, Dr Peter Huntley, delivered the stunning smile that she had dreamed of.
Joanne underwent a three-year course of challenging treatment to improve her bite and align her teeth. During this time she faced a series of traumatic events; a house fire destroyed her home, her teenage daughter ran away and her husband was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.
Joanne chose to continue her treatment, encouraged to do so by her husband who knew how important it was to her. Dr Huntley, from Quality Orthodontics in Solihull, helped her through the difficult times. ‘From the moment I met my specialist I felt empowered,’ Joanne said. ‘Peter and his wonderful, caring staff made me feel good at each one of my six weekly visits, although they were unaware of my personal problems.’
Her braces were finally removed in time for her sister’s wedding, yet only three months before her husband’s death. She said: ‘I was glad my husband lived to see the results. I cannot thank Peter enough for transforming my appearance and raising my confidence during this very difficult time.’
To thank Dr Huntley, she decided was to enter ‘Against the Odds’ which is sponsored by SDS Ormco. The judges, Sky newsreader, Anna Botting, Tim Newton, the UK’s only Professor of Psychology as applied to dentistry, and Les Joffe, an orthodontic specialist in London’s West End, were looking for the most inspirational story of a partnership between a patient and orthodontic specialist. Joanne has won £750 worth of Thomas Cook travel vouchers.
