Adult Hall of Fame Celebrates Professionals Getting Orthodontic Treatment

Inductees' Careers Range from Private Jet Pilot, to Business Leader, Ophthalmologist, Opera Singer and Others

ST. LOUIS, April 8, 2014 /CNW/ - A private jet pilot who works coast to coast; an ophthalmologist at a leading Midwestern teaching hospital; a family dentist with a thriving practice and a former opera singer are among the initial class of inductees into the American Association of Orthodontists' 2014 Adult Hall of Fame. This impressive group, which includes both men and women, underscores the fact that adults are seeking orthodontic treatment in record numbers. In a two-year period from 2010 to 2012, the number of adult patients increased 14 percent to a record high of 1,225,850 patients ages 18 and older, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Each of these distinguished Hall of Famers sought treatment for very different reasons:

• Amielle Zay Abshire – a New Jersey-based private jet pilot in her early 30s – knew that her smile is the first thing that greets the celebrity and high profile passengers she ferries around the country. She wanted it to be the best it could be.
• Dr. Steven Couch – an ophthalmologist at Washington University in St. Louis, one of the most prestigious medical centers in the country – did not have treatment as a youngster and in his early 30s felt the time was right.
• Dr. Nina Zeigler – a family dentist in Missouri – had a sparkling smile but what couldn't be seen on the outside were an open bite and a severe clenching and grinding problem.
• Sarah Bryan Miller – this former opera singer in Chicago sought orthodontic treatment in her mid-30's due to a troublesome overbite and unusually small jaw which impacted the quality of her singing voice.
• Pam Waterman – an Arizona cookbook author and founder of Metal Mouth Media – realized, even though she had treatment as an adolescent – her teeth had shifted from not wearing her retainers and needed to improve her smile for media appearances.
• Dr. Dorienne Taylor-Bishop – After referring thousands of patients to orthodontists throughout her 20-year practice, this Maryland dentist decided to refer herself. Her motivation was seeing the many health problems her patients experienced from improperly align jaws.

"We are extremely proud of all of these individuals who decided that they could achieve a healthy, beautiful smile at any stage in life," says Gayle Glenn, D.D.S., M.S.D., president of the AAO. The good news is that today's wide variety of innovative treatment options can make the process of orthodontic treatment barely noticeable. This is clear by the number of celebrities, including Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus, Dwayne Wade and Kendall Jenner among others, often seen out and about sporting orthodontics.

To learn more about the individual stories of the 2014 Adult Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.mylifemysmile.org.

About the American Association of Orthodontists: Founded in 1900, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the world's oldest and largest dental specialty organization. It represents more than 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. The Association encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment. For more information about orthodontics or to find AAO member orthodontists in your area, please visit mylifemysmile.org.

MEDIA ONLY: For photos and access to AAO's pressroom, go to http://www.mylifemysmile.org/pressroom.

SOURCE: American Association of Orthodontists

Visintine & Ryan PR/American Association of Orthodontists, Janet Ryan 314-822-8860; or Pam Paladin 314-993-1700, ext. 524; or Priscilla Visintine 314-422-5646

http://www.mylifemysmile.org