What’s your AAO membership worth?
It’s a short and simple question, but the answer is far more complicated. Sure, we can assign a dollar value to each member benefit, add them together and calculate the monetary value of membership. But even if we said the value of membership is $100,000 (or $500,000 or $1 million), would it really matter?
Probably not. At the end of the day, the value of membership is based on the individual member and their needs, perceptions and even their personal values. At the same time, there are several ways to look at the value of AAO membership that can resonate with every member.
1. Your Daily Cup of AAO
You’ve probably heard this one before: “For only the cost of a cup of coffee per day, [INSERT PRODUCT HERE] can be yours!”
This analogy works for AAO membership, too. Using 2026-27 AAO dues rates, the average AAO member pays $870 for their annual dues, as well as $600 for the Consumer Awareness Program, for a total of $1,470.
That comes to $4.03 per day – or even less for members who pay reduced dues, such as recent graduates, full-time faculty and others. For comparison, at the time this article was written, the cost of a Caffè Americano at Starbucks is $4.25 plus tax.
While membership value extends far beyond simple cost comparisons, it also provides a useful reminder that even small daily investments can create meaningful long-term value.
2. There’s Value in the Benefits
Although calculating the monetary value of membership is difficult, there are many examples of individual member benefits that provide practical, measurable value to your everyday life and practice.
Take the AAO Business Credit Card for example. AAO members can earn 5.5% cash back on AAO and AAO partner purchases when using the AAO Business Credit Card. They also earn 2.5% on dental supplies and 1.5% on everything else.
Let’s say, at minimum, you use the AAO card to pay for the following over the course of one year:
- AAO membership dues – $1,470 total for the 2026-27 membership year (using the amounts provided earlier)
- AAO Annual Session registration – $795 based on 2026 Annual Session early registration fee for Active Members
- Orthodontic/dental supplies – $10,000
- Miscellaneous purchases – $5,000
Based on those cash back rates, members could (conservatively) earn nearly $450 in annual cash back through the AAO Business Credit Card alone.
Here are some additional examples of how AAO membership provides measurable financial value compared to non-members:
| Feature | Benefit | Associated Value |
| AAO Annual Session | The early registration fee for Active Members for the 2026 Annual Session was $795. Early registration for non-member orthodontists was $2,305. | $1,510 member savings |
| AAO Winter Conference | The early registration fee for Active Members for the 2026 Winter Conference was $775. Early registration for non-member orthodontists was $1,375. | $600 member savings |
| AAO Career Center | Members looking to hire an orthodontist, team member or even sell a practice can list their opportunities at no cost (paid upgrades are available). Postings for non-members start at $249 (for a 30-day listing). | $249+ member savings |
| American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) | The AJO-DO subscription is included in your membership dues. Non-member subscribers pay $534 per year. | $534 member savings |
| AJO-DO Clinical Companion | Online access to the AJO-DO Clinical Companion is included in your membership dues. Non-member subscribers pay $175 per year. | $175 member savings |
Of course, many other AAO resources are designed to provide direct savings to members (e.g., exclusive offers through AAO Endorsed Partners), help members avoid costly third-party service fees (e.g., practice forms and professional marketing materials), and even enhance members’ skills and knowledge to support career growth and practice profitability (e.g., Wharton-AAO Mastering the Business of Orthodontics course).
And while the AAO cannot legally represent individual members or offer official legal advice, it does provide a wealth of legal resources to help members understand and address legal issues that they may face.
3. Built for Members
Another way AAO membership delivers value is through exclusive member access. AAO leadership consistently places heavy emphasis on providing, developing, and expanding member benefits and programs. In other words, most AAO offerings are available only to members.
Why? To quote the AAO strategic plan and core values, “Our members come first.”
In addition to several longstanding resources that have always been exclusive to members – including resources such as online professional development content for CE, practice forms and releases, patient education materials and digital marketing assets (among others) – the AAO continues developing new and innovative programs specifically for members.
Some of the latest examples include the Simon Sinek + AAO Inspiring Leadership online certificate program, Wharton-AAO Mastering the Business of Orthodontics (MBO) online certificate program, AAO TechSelect, and the AAO Endorsed Insurance Program (featuring malpractice, disability, life, business and student coverage).
4. Dues Discounts
In today’s cost-conscious world, the AAO recognizes that members in different career stages, practice modalities and geographic locations may warrant special consideration for their dues. In fact, dues discounts are available (and automatically applied in most cases) for members in these segments:
- Recent graduates (first four years following residency)
- Full-time faculty at U.S./Canadian accredited orthodontic programs
- Life Active members (i.e., 65+ years of age with 30+ years of cumulative membership)
- Canadian members
- International members
- Service members
To learn more about dues accommodations provided to members, including dues waivers, visit our Membership FAQs: https://www2.aaoinfo.org/membership/faq/.
5. The Intangibles
We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the intangible value provided through AAO membership. We’re talking about those aspects that are not always associated with earning CE or downloading resources from the AAO website. Yet, their impact is often the most meaningful and difficult to measure.
Advocacy is a prime example. Members will not see every professional issue being explored or the extensive efforts taking place to engage with legislators. They may not always realize when important legislative victories are achieved. But it’s the sustained efforts and steps involved that help protect the specialty and advance the future of orthodontics every day.
Dr. Josh Murphy, chair of the AAO Council on Membership, Ethics and Judicial Concerns, believes the AAO member community plays a key role in helping the specialty adapt to an evolving orthodontic landscape.
“Membership in the AAO is an ideal way for us to work together and stay abreast of the changing times and evolving technology,” says Dr. Murphy.
Additionally, Dr. Natalie Miller, chair of the AAO Council on New and Younger Members, believes some of the most meaningful member benefits come through involvement and professional connection.
“Many younger orthodontists may initially join for other reasons, but the relationships they build through active involvement often become the most career-shaping benefit,” says Dr. Miller. “Those connections can lead to clinical and practice guidance, leadership development and lifelong professional friendships.”
Members Build the Value of Membership Together
This is where the value of membership comes full circle. When the specialty is unified, membership creates greater value for everyone.
Some aspects of AAO membership can be measured in dollars and cents. Others are found in advocacy efforts, mentorship, professional relationships and the collective strength of a community working toward a shared purpose.
The value of membership is not defined solely by what members receive. It is also defined by what members help build together. As a member-driven association, AAO resource investments are determined by leaders listening to member input, examining industry trends and reviewing data from member surveys.
With the support of AAO staff, your colleagues serving on our councils, committees, and task forces bring all resources and opportunities provided by the AAO to life.
Thank you for your membership in the AAO!
