Privacy Policy
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its Web site. To protect your online privacy, the AAO has the following policies.
What Information Does the AAO Collect?
Most data the AAO collects are used primarily to help the AAO better serve its members. If our privacy policies change, they will be updated on our Web sites.
General Users: The AAO does not collect any personal information from users browsing its Web site. Users to the public areas of the AAO’s Web site browse anonymously. Only aggregate data — such as the number of views per page — are collected. Aggregate data is used only for internal and marketing purposes and does not provide any personally identifying information.
AAO Members and Conference Registrants: To gain access to members-only resources and personalization features on the AAO Web site, members and other users are asked to register and provide some limited information. These data are submitted voluntarily. Members wanting access to member only sites or section are asked to provide their name, member number and e-mail address. For conferences, the AAO asks users to provide their name, member number (for members), organization name, business phone, address and e-mail. Similar information may be submitted to the AAO through membership applications, conference or seminar registration, publication orders, subscriptions, and contest registrations. Additionally, for some e-mails sent in HTML format by the AAO to its members through its listservers and electronic newsletters, the AAO will collect specific information regarding what the recipient does with that e-mail. For those e-mails, the AAO will monitor whether a recipient subsequently clicks through to links provided in the message. Other information collected through this tracking feature includes: e-mail address of a user, the date and time of the user’s “click,” a message number, name of the list from which the message was sent, tracking URL number and destination page. The AAO only uses this information to enhance its products and those it endorses or approves and distribution of those products to its members. This information is not sold or distributed in any other manner.
How Does the AAO Use Data Collected?
The AAO uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:
AAO Member Services and Products. Generally, the AAO and its direct subsidiaries use data collected to improve their own Web content; to respond to visitors’ interests, needs and preferences; and to develop, endorse or approve new products and services.
Disclosures to Third Parties. The AAO also makes member contact information available through the AAO Membership Directory to other members using its Web site and to those who register for its conferences. In addition, the AAO incorporates information provided by users into hard copies of the Membership Directory, which it provides to members. On occasion, the AAO may also provide limited data to third parties that offer products and services. These limited data include names, job titles, companies and business addresses, but do not include business phone numbers, business fax numbers or e-mail addresses. Users may request that the AAO refrain from disclosing the data it collects to third parties on the membership application form, conference registration form or any other form on which they are providing information; an opt-out box will appear on each form on which a user provides information. Alternatively, users may contact the AAO at [email protected] or (314) 993-1700 to express their preferences if they determine later that they do not wish to have the information shared.
Consent to Use Personal Information. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act(s) of 1984 and 1998 (as applicable), the AAO or its agents must store, host and otherwise process the information (including personal data) supplied by the User when registering for this Web site. Users supply consent at the time of application for membership in the AAO.
Credit Card Account Information. The AAO does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, the AAO submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse.
How Does the AAO Use “Cookies”?
Cookies are files that contain information created by a Web server that can be stored on a User’s hard disk for use either during a particular session (“per-session” cookie) or for future use (“persistent” cookie). The AAO uses cookies only to facilitate automated activity, store and track passwords, determine appropriate solicitations, and review navigation patterns. Cookies are not used to disseminate significant information about Users over the Internet or to analyze any information that Users have knowingly or unknowingly provided. When a user registers, the system will ask whether the user approves of the attachment of a cookie. Users may instruct their Internet browsers to opt out of accepting a “persistent” cookie and rather accept only a “per-session” cookie, but will need to login each time they visit the site to enjoy the full benefits. If the user declines the attachment of any cookie, the user may not have access to the full benefits of the Web site. Registration enables the site to better determine members’ interest areas and provide the most relevant information.
What Privacy Issues Arise With Links To Other Sites?
This Web site contains links to other Web sites. The AAO has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.
What Means Of Redress Are Available?
If any User suspects that the AAO has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by e-mailing to [email protected] or by calling (314) 993-1700.