From orthodontic teams wearing orange to landmarks glowing across North America, this year’s Bullying Bites campaign brought widespread attention to bullying prevention. Thank for helping make Unity Day 2026 a visible demonstration of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
On October 21, members marked Unity Day by wearing orange, sharing campaign messages, and encouraging patients and families to take a stand against bullying. Supporters ordered 771 Bullying Bites shirts this year, helping carry the campaign’s message beyond the orthodontic practice and into their communities.
Landmarks Shine Orange for Unity Day
In partnership with Stand for the Silent, AAO coordinated the illumination of landmarks across the U.S. and Canada in recognition of Unity Day. 23 sites participated, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Canada Place Sails in Vancouver, the Parthenon in Nashville, and the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.
The orange illuminations created a highly visible reminder that communities stand together against bullying and that young people facing bullying are not alone.
Campaign Generates National Attention
The 2026 Bullying Bites campaign generated 594 media placements and more than 146 million estimated media impressions, extending its message through national dental publications and local media markets across the country.
Social media efforts generated hundreds of thousands of views and impressions, along with thousands of engagements. AAO members helped amplify that reach by creating original content, sharing Bullying Bites messages, and engaging their local communities, extending visibility well beyond AAO’s own channels.
Together, member participation, landmark illuminations, and media coverage helped extend Unity Day’s message of kindness and bullying prevention to audiences worldwide.
Thank you to the AAO members and orthodontic teams who participated in Bullying Bites 2026. Your support helped make this year’s campaign a visible, nationwide effort to stand against bullying.
