Smile Update in Progress! The 22nd Braces Smile Contest for Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment Announced

21st Contest Grand Prize Winner (Junior Division) 21st Contest Grand Prize Winner (General Division)

The Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists (JACO), a nationwide organization of orthodontic specialists (President: Tomoya Tsuchiya), announces the launch of the "22nd Braces Smile Contest," a photo contest celebrating smiles of individuals currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. Entries will be accepted from Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to Monday, August 31, 2026. Approximately 12 winning entries are expected to be selected in November 2026, with winners announced in December 2026.

This year’s contest theme is "Smile, Updating Now!" Capture your best braces smile during orthodontic treatment and enter the contest.

Since 2005, the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists has hosted this contest to encourage patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to stay positive and motivated throughout their journey. This marks the 22nd edition of the contest (the 16th edition in 2020 was canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus). Last year, 290 entries were submitted from across Japan.

This year, entries will be judged in two categories: the "Junior Division" (for middle school students and younger) and the "General Division." Grand Prize winners in each category will receive 70,000 yen, and Outstanding Prize winners in each category will receive 30,000 yen. Additional awardees will receive 5,000-yen QUO Cards. Please refer to the contest guidelines below for details.

Application Form URL: https://www.jpao.jp/smile/apply/

Braces Smile Contest Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/brace_smile_contest/

"22nd Braces Smile Contest Guidelines"

Theme

"Smile, Updating Now!"

Submission Period

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to Monday, August 31, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

★ The applicant must be the subject of the photograph and currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. The applicant’s braces (orthodontic appliance) must be clearly visible in the photo.

★ Awards are granted solely to the applicant (though multiple people may appear in the photo).

★ Applicants must be willing to cooperate with future awareness campaigns conducted by the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists and the Japan Orthodontic Materials Association.

★ Each applicant may submit only one entry.

How to Apply

Please submit digital photo files (JPEG/PNG format).

Apply via the dedicated application form on the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists website: https://www.jpao.jp/smile/apply/ (expected to be available late June)

★ File Size: Please submit files between 2MB and 5MB.

★ Required Information: Applicant’s name (with furigana), age, postal code, address, phone number, email address (carrier domains are not accepted), name of treating clinic, clinic phone number, treatment start date, how you learned about the contest (e.g., clinic, media), photo title, and a brief comment about your photo (approximately 100 characters).

Prizes

★ Grand Prize (General Division and Junior Division※) (1 winner per category): 70,000 yen

★ Outstanding Prize (General Division and Junior Division※) (1 winner per category): 30,000 yen

★ Selected entries will receive a 5,000-yen QUO Card.

★ All applicants will receive a commemorative poster.

※The Junior Division is open to children in middle school or younger.

Winner Announcements

Twelve winning entries are scheduled to be announced on the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists website and other channels in November 2026.

Winners of each prize category are scheduled to be announced in December 2026 on the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists website and other channels (Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists website: https://www.jpao.jp).

※After the announcement, Grand Prize winners (General and Junior Divisions) will be invited to an awards ceremony scheduled for 2027. Other awardees may also be contacted.

Important Notes

※Applicants under 18 years of age must obtain parental consent before applying.

※We may inform your treating orthodontist that you have entered this contest.

※Copyright and usage rights for all submitted entries (including photo titles and comments) will belong to the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists. Entries may be used in JACO publications, websites, PR, and promotional activities. By entering, you agree to this in advance. Submitted entries will not be returned.

※When using submitted entries in JACO publications, websites, PR, or promotional activities, image cropping, color correction, or other editing may be performed as necessary.

※Entries that infringe on third-party rights (including copyright and portrait rights) are not eligible. The Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists assumes no responsibility for any copyright or portrait rights issues arising from submitted entries; all responsibility and resolution rests solely with the applicant.

※Submitted entries (including photo titles and comments) may be used in events, press materials, newsletters, publications, posters, flyers, websites, and other materials organized by the Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists. Entries may also be shared with media outlets and partner organizations approved by JACO. When used, the applicant’s name, age, and prefecture of residence may be displayed.

※Personal information submitted for the contest will only be used for contest-related purposes (including prize announcements and contact), except for the use of photos as described above.

※All applicants will receive a commemorative poster featuring contest entries as a souvenir. Please note that if the poster is returned due to incorrect or incomplete address/contact information, it will not be resent.

Organizer

Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists (Public Interest Incorporated Association)

Co-Sponsored by

Japan Orthodontic Materials Association

Inquiries

For any questions regarding the contest, please contact:

22nd Braces Smile Contest Application Office Japan Association of Clinical Orthodontists Email: jimukyoku.brace-smile-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp

※This email address is for inquiries only. Submissions sent to this address cannot be accepted.