Protecting the future of your specialty.

The AAO Political Action Committee (AAOPAC) was established in 1994 to amplify the voice of the specialty of orthodontics and the profession of dentistry in the federal government. The AAOPAC allows the AAO to solicit funds from our members and, in turn, contributes to candidates whose views are consistent with our goals.

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Race to 10: June 1 – December 1

The AAOPAC Race to 10 challenges each Constituent Region to achieve at least 10% member participation in AAOPAC giving. The goal isn’t how much members give, but how many get involved. Every contribution helps advance the specialty and protect patient access to quality care. Progress will be tracked throughout the campaign, with friendly competition, bragging rights, and a traveling trophy awarded to the winning Constituent Region.

Ways to Get Involved

Be a Part of the National Advocacy Network

Grassroots advocacy is the most effective way to influence policy priorities by empowering members to use their voice to advocate on key issues and industry regulation through outreach to elected officials and other key decision makers.

The National Advocacy Network (NAN) was created to maximize AAO member grassroots influence across the United States and Canada and plays a vital role in advancing AAO’s federal and state priorities. NAN members help enhance the profession and protect patient health and safety through grassroots advocacy influence driving evidence-based policy the AAO can support.

The NAN includes various volunteer advocacy positions designed to fit your expertise and availability and seeks representatives in every state and province. See current NAN volunteers for the PCSO here.

AAO National Advocacy Network – Leadership Roles

The Component Advocacy Liaison monitors state or provincial regulation and legislation. In addition, the CAL serves as a liaison between AAO & state dental agencies. (A United States CAL must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident.)

Captains lead state-level AAOPAC fundraising by communicating with fellow component members and helping to recruit other leaders to build this critical advocacy function (must be a U.S. citizen). 

Focused on state legislative priorities and cultivating political relationships in the state legislature (elected officials and staff) for AAO influence, the State Legislative Captain communicates intelligence to AAO staff (must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident). 

This position is focused on state regulatory priorities relevant to AAO issues, with the state dental board, Attorney General’s office, Governor’s office, and Cabinets/Departments. Dental board tasks are the primary area of responsibility, including reviewing meeting agendas, scanning for changes to rules, understanding the nomination process for AAO Members to be considered to serve on a state dental board, and actively encouraging those applications (must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident).  

The Federal Policy Captain cultivates understanding of AAO legislative and regulatory priorities in Washington, D.C. and their connection to AAOPAC success (must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident). 

This position is focused on helping to recruit and develop the AAO Advocacy spokesperson bench.  

Coordinates and executes grassroots advocacy social media campaigns among peers and other influencers (awareness, education, action, special event promotions, targeted communications, and echo chamber recruitment). 

This position requires willingness to scan for and report key opposition activity and offer innovation and disruption recommendations to create more offense-focused AAO advocacy activity. 

This role is focused on representing AAO’s advocacy priorities with general dentistry and dental specialty groups at the state level, sharing relevant advocacy plans and initiatives with AAO from these groups.  

The Resident Captain cultivates this important audience for advocacy awareness, engagement, insights, leadership, and direct participation.  

Complete the NAN interest form