AAO and California Association of Orthodontists members convened in Sacramento on March 25, where they informed lawmakers about concerns of orthodontists and orthodontic patients. AAO and CAO members demonstrated strong grassroots engagement at the 5th Annual California Association of Orthodontists Lobby Day.

AAO Vice President of Advocacy Nathan Mick participated in the CAO Ad Interim meeting on March 24 and joined members in meetings with state legislators the following day, continuing to see meaningful strategic progress at the lobbying event year over year. 

Mr. Mick noted, “This is sustained, strategic advocacy in action. The relationships our members are building with the state legislature and the Dental Board of California are driving real progress on issues that directly impact orthodontic practices and patient care.” 

The growing relationships in Sacramento helped AAO/CAO advocacy leaders work with the Dental Board of California recently, on pausing a proposal that would negatively affect orthodontic assistant training in California. The AAO/CAO lobby day included continued conversations to provide recommended updates to the training proposal that orthodontists can support.   

AAO/CAO members also met with legislators to highlight the challenges orthodontists face in delivering high-quality care and to discuss policy solutions that support patient safety and strengthen the profession across California.  

AAO/CAO’s top advocacy priorities in California remain:

  1. In-Person Examination for Orthodontic Patients 
    Advocating for regulations requiring an in-person examination and appropriate initial records prior to the start of orthodontic treatment. 
  2. Strengthening the Orthodontic Assistant Workforce 
    Working with stakeholders to streamline certification pathways and better align training requirements with the clinical responsibilities performed in orthodontic practices. 
  3. Reducing Regulatory Burden 
    Supporting efforts to improve the practice environment by minimizing unnecessary and duplicative regulations. 

In addition to these priorities, members discussed several pieces of legislation that could directly impact orthodontic practices: 

  • AB 2575 – Artificial intelligence legislation where CAO is seeking clearer definitions and evaluating potential impacts on orthodontic care delivery. 
  • AB 1629 – California Dental Association (CDA)-sponsored legislation addressing dental plan network adequacy and assignment of benefits. 
  • AB 2029 – CDA-sponsored legislation establishing transparency standards for dental insurance provider portals. 
  • SB 1311 – Legislation modernizing infection control certification pathways for dental assistants. 

AAO and CAO will continue to build on this momentum in Sacramento, working closely with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders to advance policies that support patient safety, strengthen the orthodontic workforce, and improve the practice environment. Ongoing member grassroots engagement remains critical to this success. 

Thank you to all the AAO/CAO members who participated this year and AAtoO/CAO local lobbyist, Mel Assagai and Caliph Assagai of California Policy Solutions, for their continued representation of orthodontists and their patients in California.