Since 2022, enthusiastic volunteer leaders have been signing on to participate in the AAO National Advocacy Network (NAN), designed to provide structure and local insight for grassroots advocacy leadership. Across many U.S. and Canadian components, NAN volunteers have strengthened AAO Advocacy by rallying members to take action and engage with lawmakers.   

The two most recent examples of NAN effectiveness include state Senate passage of an AAO-supported teledentistry bill in South Carolina, and the successful effort to pause a Dental Board proposal in California (that would negatively affect orthodontic assistant training in the state). 

The NAN offers engaging volunteer opportunities for those with interest in political grassroots advocacy to contribute their leadership talents. Opportunities extend across the United States and Canada.

Highly visible NAN leaders include the Component Advocacy Liaison (CAL) and (in U.S. states only) the AAOPAC Captain. These positions have been filled in 32 and 19 AAO component organizations, respectively. (See our updated NAN heat map by clicking here, and scroll down to view filled and open NAN positions by constituent and component.)

Beyond the CAL and AAOPAC Captain positions, each component’s NAN leadership can benefit from a wide spectrum of expertise in social media, research and investigation, event promotion, targeted communications, and more. The NAN role descriptions below address the knowledge, skills and/or interests that would make a volunteer ideal for each position.
 
After reviewing all NAN volunteer opportunities below, we hope you will want to to discuss the NAN in greater depth. Contact AAO Grassroots and Digital Advocacy Specialist Kim VanVeen at [email protected].

You may also indicate your interest by completing the National Advocacy Network Pre-Interview Meeting Survey.

AAO National Advocacy Network – Leadership Roles

COMPONENT ADVOCACY LIAISON (available in the United States and Canada) 
The Component Advocacy Liaison monitors state or provincial regulation and legislation. In addition, the CAL serves as a liaison between AAO & state dental agencies. (A United States CAL must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.)
 
AAO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CAPTAIN (available in the United States) 
Captains lead state-level AAOPAC fund-raising by communicating with fellow component members, and help recruit other leaders to build this critical advocacy function (must be a U.S. citizen). 

STATE LEGISLATIVE CAPTAIN
Focused on state legislative priorities and cultivating political relationships in the state legislature (elected officials and staff) for AAO influence, the State Legislative Captain communicates intelligence to AAO staff (must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident). 

STATE REGULATORY CAPTAIN 
This position is focused on state regulatory priorities relevant to AAO issues, with the state dental board, Attorney General’s office, Governor’s office, and Cabinets/Departments. Dental board tasks are the primary area of respnsibility, including reviewing meeting agendas, scanning for changes to rules, understanding the nomination process for AAO Members to be considered to serve on a state dental board, and actively encouraging those applications.(must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident).    

FEDERAL POLICY CAPTAIN 
The Federal Policy Captain cultivates understanding of AAO legislative and regulatory priorities in Washington, D.C. and their connection to AAOPAC success (must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident).   

MEDIA ADVOCACY CAPTAIN 
This position is focused on helping to recruit and develop the AAO Advocacy spokesperson bench.   

DIGITAL ADVOCACY CAPTAIN 
Coordinates and executes grassroots advocacy social media campaigns among peers and other influencers (awareness, education, action, special event promotions, targeted communications, and echo chamber recruitment).  

OPPOSITION RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CAPTAIN 
This position requires willingness to scan for and report key opposition activity and offer innovation and disruption recommendations to create more offense-focused AAO advocacy activity.   

ADA & DENTAL SPECIALTY STATE LIAISON 
This role is focused on representing AAO’s advocacy priorities with general dentistry and dental specialty groups at the state level, sharing relevant advocacy plans and initiatives with AAO from these groups.   

RESIDENT CAPTAIN 
The Resident Captain cultivates this important audience for advocacy awareness, engagement, insights, leadership, and direct participation.  

View Filled and Open NAN Positions by AAO Constituent and Component
Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists
Midwestern Society of Orthodontists
New England Society of Orthodontists
Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists
Southwestern Society of Orthodontists
Southern Association of Orthodontists
Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists
Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists