Volunteers Needed for Practice Transition Project
The AAO’s Council on Orthodontic Practice (COOP) is launching a series of short-term micro-volunteer projects designed to gather valuable insights from orthodontists and experts who have firsthand experience with practice transitions. The knowledge we collect will be used to create practical planning resources for AAO members and shape future solutions.
We are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join one of our four project teams, each focusing on a specific area of practice transitions:
- Practice Startups
- Practice Purchases
- Practice Sales to an Orthodontist
- Practice Sales to a DSO/OSO
Why Volunteer?
- Professional Contribution: Share your expertise to shape valuable resources for fellow orthodontists navigating practice transitions.
- Peer Collaboration: Work alongside orthodontists and industry experts, expanding your network and exchanging insights.
- Learning Opportunity: Gain fresh perspectives from collaborative activities and shared experiences.
- Contributing to Future Solutions: Help identify key challenges and propose solutions to improve practice transitions.
- Recognition: Be acknowledged in AAO publications for your contributions.
Skip to: Volunteer Sign-Up Form
Volunteer Opportunities
Project Volunteers (3-5 per group)
Contribute your knowledge and insights throughout the project. Ideal candidates are orthodontists who have completed a transition in one of the focus areas within the past 1-5 years.
Note: You won’t be asked to share sensitive or confidential information about your practice, such as financial data, growth strategies, or proprietary business insights. Contributions will remain at a high level, based on general knowledge and experience. Final resources will feature aggregated information and acknowledge contributors, but individual comments and personal opinions will remain confidential.
Overview:
Guided Mapping Activities: You’ll participate in collaborative, guided mapping activities using virtual whiteboarding tools to generate and organize concepts and information around central topics.
Content Development and Review: AAO staff will refine the whiteboard contributions into practical resources, such as checklists and guides. You’ll review drafts and provide feedback to ensure everything is accurate and comprehensive.
Final Reflection Activity: Drawing from your own practice transition experience, you’ll identify and discuss the top five areas you found most critical or challenging. These insights can be shared with the group or privately with AAO staff.
Time Commitment:
This project involves virtual group collaboration and independent work across four phases, with the total duration varying by group (see timelines below). Each phase will include at least one scheduled weeknight meeting (up to one hour), while independent tasks may require an additional hour or more of effort. Most communication—such as instructions, updates, and feedback—will occur asynchronously via a virtual whiteboarding tool, offering flexibility for volunteers who may not be able to attend scheduled meetings.
Support Volunteers (2 or more per group)
Support the project by offering your expertise as needed in one of the focus areas. Orthodontists and industry experts with relevant experience are encouraged to participate.
Overview:
Knowledge support: In the early phases, you may be consulted to answer specific questions or contribute information that will help shape practical resources like checklists and guides.
Content review: You’ll also have the opportunity to review drafts and offer feedback to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Time Commitment:
Flexible and dependent on project needs. Most involvement will occur during the final phases, with occasional requests to answer questions and provide feedback on drafts, either through email or scheduled calls.
Skip to: Volunteer Sign-Up Form
Group 1: Practice Startups
Group 2: Practice Purchases
Group 3: Practice Sales to Orthodontist
Group 4: Practice Sales to OSO/DSO
Outline of Activities
Onboarding
Duration: 1 week
Introduction and meeting scheduling.
Phase 1: Collect Information
Duration: 2-4 Weeks
Kickoff group meeting to initiate brainstorming, followed by independent contributions to the virtual whiteboard.
Phase 2: Add Details
Duration: 1-2 Weeks
Review and revise contributions, adding additional detail where needed.
Phase 3: Review and Organize
Duration: 1 Week
Finalize and reorganize contributions for clarity and completeness.
Phase 4: Develop Resources
Duration: 1 Week
Staff will develop resources like checklists and guides. Volunteers will review drafts and participate in the final reflection activity.