The AAO continues to explore new and innovative ways to support its members and their teams and patients in Canada. Per the 2024 Market Share Report, 51.5% of Canadian orthodontists are AAO members.  

“It is a privilege and an honor for AAO leaders to serve members in Canada,” says AAO President Dr. Steven Siegel. “Members throughout North America have many of the same challenges, albeit a few differences by nationality and region. We are delighted to work with many of our wonderful Canadian colleagues to help overcome challenges and advance the specialty.”

Recently, the AAO confirmed an investment in legislative and regulatory tracking through MultiState, focusing on public policy priorities at the federal and provincial levels. 

AAO Advocacy Vice President Nathan Mick notes, “This is the first time the AAO has been able to make a deeper commitment to Canadian advocacy through real-time and continuous policy tracking across the country. We will combine this new resource with the AAO National Advocacy Network (NAN) and growing grassroots advocacy engagement in Canada to continue addressing evidence-based* priorities that matter most to our members.” 

Workforce Issues Being Addressed in Ontario
The AAO is currently working closely with the Ontario Association of Orthodontists – thanks to leadership from Dr. Michael Sherman, Dr. Joel Schacher, Dr. Mariella Anderson, and Dr. Jennifer Seo – to address workforce challenges and reduce unnecessary barriers through expanded scope of practice for dental assistants.

This effort is supported through the AAO Component Legal Support Fund (CLSF), with provincial counsel by GT & Company. The CLSF has previously been helpful in Ontario and British Columbia for direct-to-consumer patient health and safety concerns. 

Below is a snapshot of additional AAO investments and recent leadership activities to continue advancing Canadian member priorities:  
 
● Members of the AAO Board of Trustees met with leadership from the Canadian Association of Orthodontists at the AAO Annual Session in Philadelphia to strengthen collaboration on shared priorities. 

● The AAO Board includes the following Canadian representation: Dr. Michael Sherman (Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists liaison and based in Ontario), Dr. Trista Felty (Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists liaison based in British Columbia), Dr. Lawrence Wang (Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists liaison, born in Chicago and grew up in Toronto). 

● Canadian leaders active in the AAO National Advocacy Network (NAN) include Dr. Grace Bellerose, (Research and Innovation Captain, Alberta), Dr. Mariella Anderson (Component Advocacy Liaison, Ontario), Dr. Jennifer Seo (CAO & Dental Specialty Provincial Liaison,Ontario), Dr. Christos Papadopoulos (Component Advocacy Liaison, New Brunswick), and Dr. Anthony Rossi (Component Advocacy Liaison, Quebec).

Interested in joining the NAN in Canada? Email Kim VanVeen at [email protected].

● During the AAO 2025 Professional Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., a Canadian-led delegation of advocates established new connections in the offices of Co-Chairs for the bipartisan American-Canadian Economy and Security Caucus, formed in 2023 (Congressman Mark Amodei and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher). That AAO delegation with Canadian ties included Dr. Trista Felty, Dr. Michael Sherman, Dr. Michael Pickard, and Dr. Hilary Nieberg-Baskin. 

● AAO Vice President of Advocacy Nathan Mick also met this spring with the Congressional Affairs Liaison at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C, to reinforce the AAO’s commitment to U.S. and Canada relations and share more about the important work our member orthodontists do in Canada as small business owners and healthcare providers. 

CAP Continues Strong Momentum in the United States and Canada
The AAO’s Consumer Awareness Program (CAP) continues to demonstrate strong performance, with growing reach, engagement, and efficiency. Importantly, our efforts include outreach in Canada, ensuring a broader impact for our campaigns. 

This year, we’re on pace to reach over 14 million users brought to the AAO consumer website, a major milestone. But we know success isn’t just about volume; it’s about connecting with the right audience in a meaningful way. And we’re seeing that happen across the board: 

  • Continued growth in AAO consumer website visits 
  • Increased page views, indicating visitors are spending more time with our content 
  • Higher ad click-throughs, showing stronger interest and message alignment 
  • All driven by an optimized and highly efficient digital media buy 

We’re not just reaching users; we’re attracting qualified consumers who are interested in seeking orthodontic care, taking the time to learn about treatment options on the AAO site, and finding an orthodontist in their local area. As we look at how far we’ve come in just a few years, it’s clear that CAP is making a lasting impact by focusing on the right messages, reaching the right people, and doing so thoughtfully and effectively.

AAO Benefits for Canadian Members
Beyond the benefits received through AAO advocacy and consumer awareness initiatives, AAO membership provides a wealth of other benefits for members in Canada. In fact, Canadians have access to nearly all benefits accessible to their U.S. counterparts.

In total, the AAO has more than 40 tangible benefits available to members addressing areas such as learning and professional development, practice management and marketing, staff development and much more. 

Based on data from past AAO member surveys, Canadian members find the biggest benefit in the following: 

  • AAO events such as Annual Session and Winter Conference 
  • AJO-DO subscription 
  • Online continuing education, including live webinars and recorded lectures 
  • Consumer awareness campaigns targeted at Canadian and U.S. consumers 
  • Professional advocacy at the provincial level 

Learn about all benefits available to AAO members at aaoinfo.org/membership/member-benefits.  Click here to access the new AAO Member Benefits Guide with introductory information about the many benefits that are available to you as an AAO member. If you have any questions about the AAO at any time, email us at [email protected]; interact with us via web chat from the member website; or call us at (314) 993-1700.  

AAO Foundation Elects Resident from University of British Columbia to the Board
The AAO Foundation elected Dr. Navi Bharj to its Board of Directors to serve a one-year term as Resident Director. Dr. Bharj, a graduate from the University of Alberta Dental School, serves on the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Mentorship Task Force and is currently enrolled in the residency program at the University of British Columbia.   

Dr. Linnaea Halpert of the University of Toronto received a Research Aid Award from the AAO Foundation. This grant is for the 2025-2026 academic year. 
 
Strength in Unity: The AAO Has It!
The AAO is the world’s largest dental specialty association, comprised of more than 19,000 of your colleagues spanning 110 countries. By being an AAO member, you play an important part in presenting a unified voice that advocates for and preserves the orthodontic specialty. 
 
* AAO Advocacy priorities are determined by data from responses to the annual AAO Public Policy Survey.