Dr Adith Venugopal is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Lee Graber Orthodontics ‘Changing Lives’ award from the World Federation of Orthodontists.
After a lifetime of bullying, one Cambodian woman’s quality of life has been changed forever, thanks to the award-winning orthodontic work of Dr Adith Venugopal.
Adith is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Lee Graber Orthodontics ‘Changing Lives’ award for treating a patient’s extremely challenging malocclusion during his tenure in Cambodia.
The patient had both, a severe skeletal and dental malocclusion, causing her upper and lower jaws and teeth to be improperly positioned. This condition affected her eating, speech, function, and confidence.
Based at the University of Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry, Adith says he is elated to be receiving this award from the organisation governing all orthodontic associations, the World Federation of Orthodontists.
“I’m very grateful to be receiving this acknowledgement,” Dr Adith says.
“It means a great deal to me to be in a profession that restores confidence and changes the lives of people - I’m proud to be an orthodontist.”
He says his patient was committed to finding a solution and, even after many years of treatment, she never lost hope.
Before and after facial and skeletal changes
Dr Adith’s patient says before the treatment her teeth jutted out, her jaws weren’t appropriately positioned, and her lips protruded leading to a childhood, adolescence and adulthood filled with bullying.
“Dr Adith changed my life,” she says.
“I had braces on with Adith for three and a half years, and it has improved my quality of life and given me a beautiful smile, confidence and speech.
“She was a very compliant and wonderful patient,” Dr Adith says.
“We went through a lot of ups and downs but then at the end of the day she made it and I’m proud and grateful to be a part of her journey.”
A senior lecturer in the Department of Oral Sciences, Adith wins this international award at only 36-years-old and will be presented with it at the 2025 American Association of Orthodontists annual meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Swart.