The Wrigley Company partnered with the FDI World Dental Federation for the second consecutive year to launch the 2009 FDI & Wrigley Photographic Award and find out what makes dental care professionals smile.

Richard from Tacoma, Washington, USA was the grand winner of this year's award with this photo of children on a beach. He won an expenses paid trip to the 2010 FDI World Dental Congress in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil and as the North America regional winner, he also received the regional prizes of a $1,000 voucher for photographic equipment, a one-year subscription to the International Dental Journal and a year's supply of Wrigley chewing gum.

'Partnering with Wrigley Oral Healthcare Programs (WOHP), we were able to provide the dental community with the chance to show us what makes them smile, and to highlight the importance of oral health as an integral part of overall general health,' said David Alexander, Executive Director of the FDI World Dental Federation.

Dental professionals from 63 counties around the world submitted photographs during the 2009 competition which ran from March 16-July 8. A variety of entries were received, including funny family photos, landscapes, friends having fun, animals and candid shots of individuals. All of the photographs were reviewed by a panel of judges for creativity in addressing 'What makes you smile,' and six regional winners and one grand prize winner were selected.

In addition WOHP is donating $25,000 to the FDI's World Dental Development Fund (WDDF), which supports oral health education and projects worldwide. For further information visit http://www.photoaward.org.