Hu-Friedy kicks off Gracey contests

In celebration of 100 years of dental hygiene, Hu-Friedy is kicking off two contests: the Oldest Gracey and Gracey Story.

Hu-Friedy's invention of Gracey curettes will be featured at the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) annual meeting in June as one of the significant events in dental hygiene history, according to the company.

Dr. Clayton Gracey partnered with Hu-Friedy's founder, Hugo Friedman, in 1945 to develop a line of instruments that "give every dentist the possibility to treat even the deepest and least accessible periodontal pockets simply and without traumatic stretching of the gingiva." For more than 65 years since, Gracey curettes have been taught in hygiene schools and have become the instruments of choice in practice, according to the company.

For the Oldest Gracey contest, clinicians can send in their oldest Gracey curette and Hu-Friedy's manufacturing team will determine the winner based on laser markings used throughout the years. Gracey curettes could be from a first student kit or early years of practice. The winner will receive a $100 gift card.

For the Gracey Story contest, clinicians can send in a 500-word or less essay about their experience with Gracey curettes. Participants can write about why they love Hu-Friedy Gracey curettes, when they started using them, and why they are still a part of their clinical routines. The winner will receive five new EverEdge Gracey curettes of their choosing. The essays can be posted on the company's website.

The winner of each contest will also be featured in Hu-Friedy's commemorative display at the 2013 ADHA Annual Session in Boston and on the Friends of Hu-Friedy website.

Hu-Friedy is accepting contest entries through April 29, 2013.