The 2024 AAO Professional Advocacy Conference took place February 27-28 in Washington, D.C. A record 120 AAO members participated in the conference, visiting Capitol Hill to advocate for AAO public policy priorities to protect the orthodontic specialty and orthodontic patients.

Many attendees interacted directly with elected officials during the February 27 reception, which was attended by 15 percent of the U.S. Senate. Complete coverage of the Advocacy Conference will appear in next week’s eBulletin.

A highlight of the conference was the induction of the three members of the inaugural AAO Political Action Committee Hall of Fame class:

● Dr. Dean Jensen, Texas – Dr. Jensen served eight years on the AAOPAC Board of Directors, including two as Chair, and served six years on the Council on Governmental Advocacy, including two years as Chair.  Dr. Jensen continues his leadership today serving as AAOPAC Captain for Texas as part of the AAO National Advocacy Network.  He is a 27-year AAOPAC contributor.

Dr. Jensen completed his undergraduate degree at Augustana College and changed his career plans from engineering to orthodontics, going on to dental school at the University of Iowa and completing the orthodontic residency program at the Baylor College of Dentistry.

● Dr. Norman J. Nagel, California – Dr. Nagel has been an orthodontist and AAO member for 50 years. He is the immediate past president of the AAO and an outstanding advocate for AAO Advocacy and AAOPAC, having been a supporter of the AAOPAC for 20 years.

Dr. Nagel completed his undergraduate education, dental degree and orthodontic residency at Case Western Reserve University. He interned at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, and completed his military active duty in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Dr. Nagel remained active in the military, completing 31 years as a reserve officer with the Naval Reserve followed by seven years in the California Army National Guard. He retired from the Guard in 2002 as a colonel.

● Dr. Dennis D. Sommers, North Dakota – Dr. Sommers practiced orthodontics for 40 years and has been an AAOPAC contributor for 30 years since its founding year in 1994. Dr. Sommers continues his leadership today serving as AAOPAC Captain for North Dakota as part of the AAO National Advocacy Network.  

Dr. Sommers completed his dental and orthodontic education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry.

Observations from the Inductees

● DR. JENSEN
Favorite Advocacy Memories: Getting to know his former congressman, U.S. Representative Sam Johnson, and attending several events on behalf of the AAOPAC including a recent National Republican Congressional Committee meeting in Dallas where he was seated with Congressman Jim Jordan, and the Senators’ Golf Classic event in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Comments on Advocacy: “I realized how much our profession can be affected by the government and how important it is for us to be represented when decisions are being made that affect us.  Years ago, I served on the Texas State PAC, the line we always used was, ‘If you’re not at the table when political decisions are made, you’re on the menu.’”

● DR. NAGEL
Favorite Advocacy Memories: Joining his PCSO colleagues on Capitol Hill. In particular, he always enjoyed having the late Dr. Budd Rubin in his group for Hill visits. Dr. Nagel recalls that, “Budd’s cousin was Senator Diane Feinstein from California, and we would always call on her office. If she was in, she was always ready to discuss the issues with us and her cousin, ‘Buddy.’ She said it felt like going ‘home.’’”

Comments on Advocacy: “I had the honor and privilege of holding public office myself, as a Community College Trustee for Ventura County, California. I know how important conversations with elected officials can be. Advocacy on various issues comes down to discussions with the legislator and staff so that they know issues that are important to the profession and our patients. Our ability to practice this great profession depends on the rules and regulations set down by the states and/or federal government. If we do not tell ‘our story,’ someone else will tell it for us. It is up to US (including the young residents)! No one can do it better.”

● DR. SOMMERS
Favorite Advocacy Memories: The repeal of the McCarren-Ferguson Act. Dr. Sommers recalls his third annual Hill group visit to then-Representative Earl Pomeroy – the sole representative from North Dakota – who served on the House committee that was to consider the bill. When the McCarren-Ferguson Act was brought up yet again, the Representative quickly wanted to move on to other issues.

When Dr. Sommers and his group returned the next year and asked Representative Pomeroy about the repeal of McCarren-Ferugson for the fourth time, Dr. Sommers was shocked when the representative’s responded, “I think we could make that happen.”

“After years of going home from D.C. thinking we were wasting time trying to make a difference, something changed,” said Dr. Sommers. “I like to believe that maybe, just maybe, our effort was one of the elements that finally turned things around. “

Comments on Advocacy: “When finishing orthodontic residency, I thought I was in total control of my destiny. It didn’t take long, however, to realize the truth: There are a host of factors that influence or limit the potential success of orthodontic practice. Contributing to our AAOPAC fuels an engine working to favorably sway outside bodies that can adversely impact the practice of orthodontics. The destiny we thought we controlled after residency is brighter if we band together to advocate for the profession.”

The following AAOPAC Board members introduced the Inaugural Class of the AAOPAC Hall of Fame:  Dr. Clark Colville (Dr. Jensen), Dr. Michael Feinberg (Dr. Nagel), and AAOPAC Chair Dr. Deborah Lien (Dr. Sommers).

A reception honoring the Hall of Fame Inaugural Class will take place at the AAOPAC and AAO Advocacy Lounge in the Exhibit Hall during the 2024 AAO Annual Session in New Orleans in May.  To receive an invitation to this exclusive event and receive a wide range of other benefits, make a contribution of $30.94 or more at AAOPAC.org to honor the 30th Anniversary of AAOPAC, established in 1994.