About PCSO

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A Constituent of the American Association of Orthodontists

Founded in 1913, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO) has become the largest of the eight constituent societies that comprise the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

PCSO has more than 2500 members in eight states and three Canadian provinces.

Depending upon size, each constituent society (CS) is allocated a percentage of the 64 delegates to the AAO House of Delegates. PCSO has an allocation of 13 delegates.

The AAO also operates eight Councils, which undertake most of the work necessary to carry out the directives made by the House of Delegates. Each CS is entitled to one member on each Council. Council members may serve 4 terms of two years each and are nominated by the PCSO Trustee and Board.

At most PCSO Board meetings, Council members make oral reports or have submitted written reports. Council activities are most important and the House, and for that matter the entire AAO, is dependent upon their work.

Our geographic area includes the component orthodontic societies of Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Saskatchewan, and Washington. The PCSO also includes the Canadian Yukon, Northwest Territories and Guam.

While PCSO concentrates on the education of its members, the components typically work in the political arena. However, with its Strategic Plan in place, the PCSO will be working in other areas as well.

For more specific information on the PCSO, see the following sections of the Web site:

• News of the PCSO and Orthodontics
• Contact PCSO
• Member Services
• PCSO Board of Directors
• PCSO Committee Chairs and Representatives
• PCSO Delegates
• Strategic Plan
• Bylaws
• Policy Manual
• Legal Notices
• Privacy Policy