The AAO 2024 Professional Advocacy Conference, co-chaired by Dr. Michael Durbin and Dr. Kenneth Webb of the Board of Trustees, took place in Washington, D.C., February 27- 28, hosting a maximum capacity blend of AAO orthodontist advocates and 47 orthodontic residents.

AAO attendees carried out over 60 meetings in U.S. House and Senate offices, sharing the AAO’s evidence-based policy priorities, including patient health and safety concerns relating to mail-order orthodontic treatment models, workforce shortages and small business challenges, and student loan debt concerns.

The AAO Political Action Committee Board of Directors hosted a bipartisan reception at the Hamilton Hotel where Professional Advocacy Conference attendees connected directly with 15% of the United States Senate.

“Several Senators remarked to me how impressed they were that the AAO could host such a large, bipartisan group of Senators for our private event with orthodontists and residents from around the country,” said AAO Director of State and Federal Advocacy Nathan Mick. “One Senator quipped, ‘They are keeping a vote open on the Senate floor now because so many of us are away from Capitol Hill to be with you tonight.’

“Building bipartisan Congressional relationships through direct grassroots engagement with our AAO members positively builds our brand and strengthens relationships, especially when orthodontists have critical issues where we need urgent leadership and support from Capitol Hill,” added Mr. Mick. “Events like this cultivate opportunities for our policy priorities in the future.” 

The bipartisan list of United States Senators below connected directly with AAO members and orthodontic residents in Washington, D.C. Special thanks to Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies for their help with this important effort: 

  1. Senator John Boozman (Arkansas)
  2. Senator Ted Budd (North Carolina)
  3. Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut)
  4. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia)
  5. Senator John Cornyn (Texas)
  6. Senator Ted Cruz (Texas)
  7. Senator Deb Fischer (Nebraska)
  8. Senator Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire)
  9. Senator Cynthia Lummis (Wyoming)
  10. Senator Roger Marshall (Kansas)
  11. Senator Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma)
  12. Senator Patty Murray (Washington State)
  13. Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
  14. Senator Jim Risch (Idaho)
  15. Senator Eric Schmitt (Missouri)
  16. Senator Roger Wicker (Mississippi)
  17. Senator Todd Young (Indiana)

In addition, conference programming at the Hamilton Hotel included unique opportunities to hear from a wide range of AAO members engaged in AAO Advocacy and supporters of AAOPAC (see below).

For the first time ever, the AAO Council on Government Advocacy honored Elaine Marzola, Nevada Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee Chair, as the “Patient Health & Safety Legislator of the Year.” Assemblywoman Marzola was recognized for her work on AAO landmark teledentistry legislation that became law, requiring an in-person visit prior to orthodontic treatment.

Conference attendees also enjoyed the 30th Anniversary AAOPAC dinner celebration honoring the Inaugural Class of the AAOPAC Hall of Fame:  Dr. Dean Jensen, Dr. Norman Nagel, and Dr. Dennis Sommers.

Overall Highlights from the Professional Advocacy Conference

  • Remarks from Co-Chairs, Dr. Mike Durbin and Dr. Ken Webb
  • Insights from incoming (per the dates of the conference) AAO CEO Trey Lawrence and outgoing interim AAO CEO Liz Lucas
  • Welcome from AAO President Myron Guymon
  • Keynote Address by Michael Negron, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the White House
  • AAO’s Advocacy Voices for the Future, Key Insights from Residents: Moderator: Dr. Michelle Skelton: CONYM Liaison to COGA & AAOPAC Board, Columbia University, Dr. Justina Anigbo: Indiana University, Dr. Matt Evers, Harvard University, Dr. Greg Pavlos, University of the Pacific, Dr. Jenna Schneider, West Virginia University, and AAO Grassroots and Digital Advocacy Specialist Kim VanVeen 
  • Power of AAO’s National Advocacy Network + Member Grassroots Engagement: Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham, AAOPAC Captain (Ohio), Dr. John Monticello, Component Advocacy Liaison (Michigan), Dr. Dennis Sommers, AAOPAC Captain (North Dakota), Dr. Paul Sproul, AAOPAC Captain (Alabama), Dr. Jeffrey Stoker, Component Advocacy Liaison (Utah) with AAO Advocacy Team (Kim VanVeen and Nathan Mick)
  • AAO 2024 Advocacy Insights and Action in States across the U.S.
  • AAO State Advocacy in Nevada, Case Study for Patient Health & Safety Success: Chair Elaine Marzola, Nevada State Assembly, Sasha Sutcliffe-Stephenson, SSS Public Affairs President and AAO In-state counsel, Dr. John Griffiths, AAO Member engaged with regulations drafting after AB147 became Nevada law, Dr. Philip Mansour, 2022-2024 AAO Council on Government Advocacy Chair, and AAO Advocacy Director Nathan Mick
  • AAOPAC Reception including direct interaction with fifteen United States Senators
  • AAOPAC 30th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Dinner, hosted by the AAOPAC Board & Dr. Deborah Lien, 2023-24 AAOPAC Board Chair, including recognition of contributors to AAOPAC of $2,500 or more
  • Day Two breakfast kick-off with Dr. Beatrice Williams, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry
  • AAO and the American Dental Association (ADA) collaboration with Mr. Michael Graham, ADA Senior Vice President
  • Capitol Hill prep and mock Capitol Hill meeting with Dr. Lauren Pass + Alex Campau and Kaitlyn Martin from Cozen O’Connor
  • Closing remarks by Dr. Ken Webb
  • Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Team + AAO Legal and Advocacy Team send-off to Capitol Hill for over 60 Congressional meetings in the U.S. House and Senate

AAOPAC is helping to fuel our advocacy success not only in Washington, D.C. but in states throughout the country as well. Members of Congress were grateful to connect directly with AAO Members. Our bipartisan AAOPAC Pillars of Giving are working, and AAO’s advocacy influence continues to grow through AAO Member grassroots engagement.

AAOPAC: Please help keep this incredible advocacy momentum going by making your 2024 30th Anniversary gift to AAOPAC now: AAOPAC.org!

SAVE-THE DATES: Mark your calendar to join us for the next AAO Professional Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.:  March 11-12, 2025 at a new location:  Hilton Capitol Hill.  AAOPAC contributors and Residents are eligible to receive invitations.  Space will be limited!

Access photos from the 2024 Professional Advocacy Conference here.