1. Strength in Numbers

Being an AAO member means you are part of the world’s largest dental specialty association, joining more than 19,000 of your colleagues spanning more than 110 countries. Membership with your professional association enables the AAO to better serve you and the orthodontic specialty.

2. Promoting You and What You Do

The AAO is the only entity conducting nationwide outreach to educate consumers about the superior qualifications of orthodontic specialists, while expanding the market for orthodontic services. AAO members fund paid advertising and public relations efforts through the Consumer Awareness Program, which today is reaching consumers like never before.

3. Advocating for You and Your Patients

The AAO is continually working to make your voice heard by lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Through the AAO Political Action Committee, we advocate on issues important to you and your patients, such as healthcare, small business and tax reform.

4. AAO Annual Session

Through the support of members, exhibitors and sponsors, the AAO is able to produce the world’s largest orthodontic gathering each and every year. The Annual Session offers attendees an opportunity to learn from diverse speakers, view the latest in clinical and practice innovations, and network with peers. The 2018 Annual Session drew 17,414 attendees, including a record-high 6,941 doctors.

5. Practice Resources

Maintaining and growing an orthodontic practice is an ongoing challenge. Fortunately, AAO members have access to a comprehensive array of resources to make your job easier, including an office design manual, patient forms and releases, customizable marketing materials and much, much more.

6. First-Class Continuing Education

From an extensive Online Learning Program, to the world’s largest dental specialty library, to a subscription to the leading orthodontic clinical journal (AJO-DO), the AAO provides tools to help you stay at the top of your profession and maintain your continuing education (CE) requirements.

7. Orthodontic Career Services

Whether you’re in residency or nearing retirement, the AAO supports your career and practice transition needs. Led by our online matching service, AAO Career Center, we can help you locate a position, hire an associate or sell your practice when the time comes.

8. Legal Services

At some point in every orthodontist’s career, there will come the need for legal services or counsel. While the AAO does not legally represent individual members or offer official legal advice, it does provide guidance to members on issues affecting their practices and patients. Other resources, such as answers to common legal questions, sample agreements and legal seminars, are also available.

9. Local and Regional Support

The AAO is committed to supporting members on regional and local levels. In turn, we offer the Component Legal Support Fund to assist with state legal and legislative issues, as well as the CAP Matching Grant Program that provides funds to states/provinces to support local advertising campaigns.

10. The AAO is You!

The AAO continues to be “for orthodontists, by orthodontists”. As a member-driven association, you can rest assured that your best interests are at the heart of what we do. The AAO House of Delegates, Board of Trustees, and council and committee members are all fellow AAO members dedicated to developing programs and services that will have value for you as you treat patients and manage your practice.