On October 22, 2026, AAO and Ohio Association of Orthodontists (OAO) members gathered in Columbus, Ohio for the fourth annual Ohio State Lobby Day, held this year in conjunction with the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists’ 100th Anniversary Annual Session.
The event brought orthodontists and orthodontic residents directly to the Ohio Statehouse to educate policymakers about issues affecting orthodontic patients, practices, and the future of the specialty.
A total of 24 AAO and OAO members, including 15 orthodontic residents from The Ohio State University, participated in this year’s event. Also participating were Gianna Nawrocki, AAO Advocacy Manager, Courtney Bennett, AAO Legal & Advocacy Coordinator, and Lori Mollohan, OAO Executive Director. Ohio lobbyists, Aaron Ockerman and Isaac Northrop of Ockerman Consulting and David Battocletti of Governmental Advocates led the day by organizing meetings with both Ohio House Representative and Senate offices.
Thank you to the following AAO and OAO members who participated:
- Dr. Phillip Beckwith, Ohio Component Advocacy Liaison, National Advocacy Network
- Dr. Emily Crock, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Michael Durbin, AAO President
- Dr. Dale Anne Featheringham, Ohio AAOPAC Captain, National Advocacy Network
- Dr. Henry Fields, Chief of Orthodontics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Dr. Nicole Fleming, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Florence Foucher, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Dan Joseph, West Virginia State Legislative Captain, National Advocacy Network
- Dr. Nicholas Jones, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Kaitrin Kramer, AAO Trustee At-Large
- Dr. Ken Lawrence, Ohio Association of Orthodontists President
- Dr. Tommy Lau, Ohio Resident Captain, National Advocacy Network
- Dr. Jennifer Lee, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Johnathan Lee, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Kathy Liang, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Valerie Martone, GLAO Council on Government Advocacy Representative
- Dr. James Needy, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Kevan O’Neill, AAO Trustee At-Large
- Dr. Avina Patel, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Michael Sherman, AAO Trustee, GLAO
- Dr. Macey Siegel, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Adame Wade, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Claure Waugh, Orthodontic Resident
- Dr. Jessie Weidner, Orthodontic Resident
Throughout the day, attendees met with 24 offices in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate to discuss several AAO and OAO priorities:
- Supporting patient health and safety through an in-person examination before orthodontic treatment begins;
- Protecting transparency for patients and preserving meaningful standards for dental specialty advertising;
- Ensuring that emerging artificial intelligence policies maintain appropriate professional oversight and accountability; and
- Expanding Ohio’s dental loan repayment opportunities to include orthodontists and help strengthen the state’s oral health workforce.
After legislative meetings, attendees convened for lunch and discussion, with special guests, Ohio Dental Association (ODA) lobbyist, Mr. Adam Hewitt and ODA Director of Legal and Legislative Services, Mr. Eric Richmond. Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Richmond provided an update on the status of the specialty advertising rules and efforts related to teledentistry and an in-person examination requirement, highlighting the need for consumer-oriented regulations. They also shared with attendees other ODA priorities that are of interest to AAO/OAO members and their patients.
This year’s State Lobby Day gave AAO and OAO members an opportunity to explain how these policies affect their practices and patients while continuing to build relationships with Ohio policymakers. Orthodontic residents also brought an important perspective to conversations about student debt, workforce development, and the future of patient access to specialty care.
The advocacy programming continued as GLAO opened its historic 100th Anniversary Annual Session. U.S. Congressman Troy Balderson, who represents Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, addressed GLAO members during the opening of the business meeting.
Congressman Balderson serves on the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, including its Health, Energy, and Oversight and Investigations subcommittees. His appearance offered GLAO members an opportunity to hear directly from a federal policymaker whose committee work encompasses many issues affecting health care providers, patients, and small businesses.
During his remarks, Congressman Balderson emphasized the need to get involved and participate in the community. He emphasized the importance of orthodontists sharing their stories and concerns with lawmakers. Congressman Balderson also remarked on his support for AAO policy priorities to protect patient health and safety and increase access to quality care, including policies put forth in the Oversight of Responsible Teledentistry for Healthy Outcomes (ORTHO) Act, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), and the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. His participation reinforced the importance of developing congressional champions who understand the concerns of orthodontists and the patients they serve.
The fourth annual Ohio State Lobby Day demonstrated how AAO advocacy connects members with policymakers at every level of government. From the Ohio Statehouse to Congress, direct engagement by orthodontists helps ensure that decisions affecting patient care and the specialty are informed by the professionals who see their effects every day.
GLAO members also demonstrated their commitment to advocacy during the constituent meeting through AAOPAC’s Race to 10, a friendly competition challenging each constituent region to reach 10%-member participation by December 1. AAOPAC Board Member from GLAO, Dr. Scott Schulz, shared a message with GLAO members ahead of the meeting, challenging attendees to contribute to the AAOPAC to put GLAO in first place. After a surge in contributions during the meeting, GLAO is currently tied for first place with MASO, reflecting strong support for AAOPAC’s work to build relationships with congressional champions and advance policies that protect orthodontists and their patients.
Congratulations to the GLAO on its 100th anniversary and thank you to every member, orthodontic resident, and advocacy leader who helped make this year’s Ohio State Lobby Day a success.
As the AAO continues expanding its state advocacy efforts, members can help strengthen this work by supporting AAOPAC. AAOPAC helps build relationships with elected officials and supports the broader advocacy efforts that give orthodontists a strong, unified voice in Washington, D.C., and state capitals across the country. Learn more and contribute at AAOPAC.org.
