Against the odds

“I used to feel people were staring at me because of my teeth, it was also hard for me to chew my food.  I’d say my morale was pretty low.  The orthodontic treatment I had changed my life for the better.  When the braces came off, and I looked in the mirror, it was an instant moment of confidence.  It felt like my future was right there for me.”
Lucy Gray, 16yrs.
 
Lucy Gray, 16yrs, from Liverpool, has won an ‘Against the Odds’ award for the orthodontic treatment which transformed the course of her life.

Lucy entered the competition to celebrate her orthodontist team and Dr Puthri Raphy from Bright Orthodontics in Liverpool.

Lucy was born prematurely at 27 weeks.  The first year of her life was turbulent and she has been profoundly deaf since birth.  At around five years old she started to learn British Sign Language (BSL) and the difference in her was immense.

In March 2020, when the world came to a standstill due to COVID, Lucy was getting ready to transition to a secondary school 70 miles away in Wakefield, due to the fact that it was the only one that could meet her communication needs with suitably trained staff in BSL.

It was around this time that Lucy started to share how she felt about her teeth.  The overcrowding and aesthetics really affected her.  She was keen to have braces.  After a two year wait she was delighted to be offered an appointment at Bright Orthodontics in Liverpool.

Lucy was nervous about embarking on treatment.  Her mother, Lyndsey (pictured above with Lucy) was by her side throughout the process.  She talks about the experience;

“Navigating healthcare when you are deaf can be a minefield. Right from the start Bright Orthodontics were so receptive to Lucy’s communication needs and booked an interpreter.  The attention to detail in terms of being visual, learning new signs and generally taking the extra time to ensure Lucy was happy and fully aware of her treatment, was outstanding.  It meant that I could be alongside her as a mother and advocate and not as an interpreter.  Lucy always came out smiling from her appointments.”

Speaking about Lucy’s treatment, Dr Puthri Raphy, says:
“Lucy was an absolute pleasure to treat.  We learnt so much from her as our first deaf patient.  She educated us on how we can better support people in the deaf community with orthodontic treatment.  It was wonderful to see her reaction when the braces came off – just before her prom!” 

Since her treatment, Lucy has received so many positive comments – especially from her peers in the deaf community.  Lucy really enjoys sharing her experiences of treatment with her friends.  She now feels proud to smile and show her teeth.

Jon Machell, 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 2026 is now open for entries and the deadline is Saturday 28 February 2026

Patients encouraged to showcase the transformative power of braces by nominating their orthodontist.