A Community Macmillan Dietitian, Anna Chalaczkiewicz, from Lincolnshire, has won an ‘Against the Odds’ award for the orthodontic treatment which transformed the course of her life. Anna, 54yrs, entered the competition to celebrate her orthodontist Dr Trevor Hodge from Beverley Orthodontic Centre.
Anna says that throughout her life she hardly ever laughed out loud or looked at people in the eye when talking to them. She felt ashamed of her teeth – always covering her mouth with her hands when smiling, laughing or even just talking to someone. She had a fear of dental treatment which had been with her since she was a child. Her perspective changed dramatically after experiencing gruelling cancer treatment which gave her a new found resilience.
Anna says:
“I didn’t think there was anything that could be done to straighten my teeth – I thought that they were too wonky with far too many gaps and that I was simply too old, that is until I visited Trevor Hodge at Beverley Orthodontic Centre. When Mr Hodge told me that he could help improve my teeth, it was a huge turning point for me. I cannot explain the feeling of hopefulness I had when I left his room with my first set of braces on.”
Dr Hodge says Anna was a fantastic patient and motivated and keen to have the treatment.
Talking about the impact of treatment, Dr Hodge says:
“It’s wonderful to see the transformation in Anna’s confidence as a result of treatment. She has a beautiful smile and no longer covers her mouth as she did before. It was very rewarding to see the outcome and the difference it has made!”
Dr Hodge who now works closer to home at the Portman Smile Clinic, Ilkley liaised closely with Anna’s dentist at Perfect 32, Beverley. At the end of treatment, as well as providing dental implants to replace two upper molars that were missing, Chia Yeoh also enhanced Anna’s smile by carrying out some crown lengthening around the upper anterior teeth and root treating and internally bleaching the upper right central incisor. This team work ensured the best possible outcome for Anna.
Speaking about the impact on her life, Anna says;
“I now have a phenomenally perfect set of teeth. I laugh often, chat to people when out and about and feel so much more confident. I can now look people in the eye and walk looking ahead and not at the ground. It may be an everyday job for Mr Hodge but what he did was life changing for me and I am forever grateful to him.”
Richard Jones, Chair of the BOS Orthodontic Specialists Group, said:
“Orthodontics isn’t just about straightening teeth, it’s about making people feel better about themselves. The Against the Odds competition continues to highlight the very best of our profession and the tremendous value that orthodontics has on people’s lives. A confident smile can change a person’s perception of themselves, their self-esteem and their self-image.”
Against the Odds 2025 is now open for entries and the deadline is the end of September 2024 – https://www.bos.org.uk/patients/against-the-odds
