Welcome to all AAO members and volunteer leaders who have begun the next two-year term of membership within the National Advocacy Network (NAN), extending from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2027.

Building from AAO Board of Trustees recommendations, the AAO Advocacy team collaborated with the AAO Political Action Committee Board and Council on Government Advocacy (COGA) leadership to create the NAN in October 2022. This network of elite volunteer AAO leaders from across the United States and Canada contributes to component legislative and regulatory work. In the United States, NAN leaders also collaborate on raising support and driving growth for AAOPAC, to better support the evidence-based, bipartisan public policy priorities of the AAO.

Now entering its second term, the NAN includes 78 members who bring experience, passion, and a growing commitment to grassroots engagement. NAN leadership, officially approved by both the AAOPAC Board and COGA, represents a diverse and dynamic group including all AAO membership types—residents, currently practicing orthodontists (including life active members) and retired members.

The second NAN term is marked not just by growth, but by movement. Many volunteers are stepping into new roles or transitioning across geographic regions within the structure of NAN. This term also brings together seasoned leaders from the inaugural class.

As the driving force behind AAO’s grassroots success, the NAN plays a vital role in advancing AAO’s federal and state priorities. With flexible micro-volunteerism opportunities and roles tailored to fit different levels of engagement, the NAN truly offers a place for everyone looking to give back and influence the future of orthodontics.

NAN Achieved a Strong Record of Success in Its First Team
The NAN, recipient of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) national award for excellence, has been integral in state and provincial-supported advocacy and legislative wins during the past two years. Advocacy successes in which grassroots NAN efforts were instrumental include new requirements in eight states for an in-person examination before orthodontic treatment, keeping patient health and safety at the forefront.

For two consecutive years, the AAOPAC has broken previously held fundraising records. Similarly, AAO Advocacy has celebrated two years of increasing grassroots engagement, with over 5,100 Grassroots actions in FY24-25 to support AAO policy priorities, including solutions for helping to address student loan debt, workforce challenges, and maintaining specialty advertising laws that protect the public.

NAN Roles Open Opportunities for Varying Advocacy Talents and Interests
The AAO National Advocacy Network was built with the creation of two distinct teams: a single AAOPAC Captain in every U.S. State, and a Component Advocacy Liaison (CAL), assisted by eight supportive roles, on the CAL Team for both states and Canadian provinces.

The map linked here shows the NAN’s current footprint across the United States and Canada, and where we still need volunteer leadership. Even if your component already has an AAOPAC Captain (indicated in orange) or CAL (indicated in yellow) or both (components with both are shaded green), there is still room on all CAL Teams in the U.S. and Canada for those interested in joining the NAN.

The grey shading signifies an area of opportunity, and we would love your engagement to color the map.

Advocacy successes in which grassroots NAN efforts were instrumental include new requirements in eight states for an in-person examination before orthodontic treatment, keeping patient health and safety at the forefront.

As your AAO Advocacy team works tirelessly to protect the specialty and ensure that orthodontic patients receive access to quality care, we invite you today to consider indicating your interest in the NAN and joining us in our endeavors to continue to serve the Unites States and Canada.

Become a part of building our network! Text “NAN” to 52886 or join us HERE to complete a brief survey to start the process.

The success of AAO Advocacy has been driven in many ways by the leadership and the passion of the NAN volunteer leaders. Thank you to all NAN alumni of the inaugural class for your role in serving the AAO and all AAO members, both in your component and across the United States or Canada over the last two years during the NAN’s inaugural term.

Help Support AAO Advocacy’s Mission
The AAO is deeply committed to patient health and safety through orthodontic care provided by qualified specialists. Our mission – to advance the art and science of orthodontics through education, advocacy, and research — has never been more important. 

AAO’s new fiscal year began June 1 and helps to build our important relationships on Capitol Hill related to AAO priorities. You can make your AAOPAC contribution for fiscal year 2025-2026 now! The bipartisan AAOPAC helps fuel our advocacy success in Washington, DC and in states throughout the country. Contributions can be made online via credit card at AAOPAC.org. It only takes a few minutes to complete your contribution, using your e-mail address associated with your AAO membership. You can also view your giving history and profile.

Our AAOPAC Pillars of Giving help build our success, and the AAO’s bipartisan advocacy influence continues to grow through member grassroots engagement. Your grassroots voice and AAOPAC support make all the difference! Thank you to all AAO members who continue to support AAO Advocacy and the AAOPAC and welcome to the second class of NAN leadership for FY25-27.