Hu-Friedy, Chicago, is holding its Eighth Annual Global Wire Bending Contest. Open to orthodontic residents and practitioners from around the world, the contest will take place at the AAO’s annual session, which will be held in the company’s hometown of Chicago from May 14 to 17.

The contest features two categories: Single Wire and Anything Goes. Entries in the Single Wire category must be designed from a single piece of orthodontic wire, while entries in the Anything Goes category canbedesigned from multiple orthodontic wires. One winner from eachcategorywill be announced May 17 at the Hu-Friedy booth.

The Single Wire and Anything Goes winners will receive $1,000 and $3,000 worth of Hu-Friedy orthodontic instruments, respectively. Winning entries will also be featured in a post-contest press release and on the Hu-Friedy Web site and Friends of Hu-Friedy online community. Entries will be judged on creativity and hard work.

The 2010 winners displayed a combination of technique and inventiveness. Single Wire winner Daniel Nguyen, DDS, created an intricate phoenix (pictured) as an homage to his soon-to-be wife. Aaron Swapp, winner of the Anything Goes category, used nearly 300 feet of wire to build a complete chess set and board.

Ron Saslow, president and CEO of Hu-Friedy, said, "Hu-Friedy has a long tradition of commitment to skill, quality, and innovation in the dental industry. This competition allows us to recognize and reward these same principles in the orthodontic practitioners throughout the world whouseour products every day. We applaud the ‘artists’ who create these incredible pieces of art."

To enter the contest, entrants must submit creations at the Hu-Friedy booth during the AAO convention. Entries must be received by 5 PM May 16. All entries become the property of Hu-Friedy unless otherwise specified by Hu-Friedy.

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