• To apply for membership complete an AAO membership application.
  • Non-student applicants will be charged a $30 application fee.
  • First-time applicants must be members in good standing of the American Dental Association (ADA) if permanent residence is in the U.S.
• The membership period runs June 1 through May 31.
• Send your completed application and requested materials to any of the following:
  • Email: membership@aaortho.org
  • Fax: 314-997-1745
  • Mail: American Association of Orthodontists, 401 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7816

 
For more information contact AAO Member Services at membership@aaortho.org or 800-424-2841 or 314-993-1700.
 

Attention recent or upcoming graduates: Please remember to provide your forwarding contact information to AAO Member Services at membership@aaortho.org or 800-424-2841. This is important to help us stay in contact with you after graduating from your orthodontic residency program.
 
RESOURCES TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER

• AAO Career Center – nationwide listings for available practice sales, partnerships, associateships and more
• Orthodontic Career Path Resources – informational white paper, comparison tool and checklists designed to help you evaluate orthodontic practice modalities and career options
• Career Management Resources – information on practice types, student debt and more
• Practice Transition Seminar – full-day program at each Annual Session
• Orthodontic Career Fair – online each fall and in-person at each Annual Session
• Student Loan Refinancing and Consolidation – AAO-endorsed program via SoFi

RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR PRACTICE

• Business of Orthodontics Webinar Series – business fundamentals via complimentary live and recorded webinars
• Business of Orthodontics Podcast – topical discussions on practice management, legal and more
• New Member Legal Starter Kit – sample contracts, legal summaries and other guidance for new orthodontists
• Risk Management Resources – articles and guidance for avoiding malpractice claims
• AAO-Endorsed Insurance – discounted professional liability insurance via AAO Insurance Company, as well as a variety of group insurance plans
• AAO-Endorsed Business Solutions – including human resources management (via HR for Health) and more
• Office Design Manual – resources for designing the optimal office space
• Practice Marketing Materials – customizable materials from AAO’s Consumer Awareness Program, AAO member logos and more
• “Find an Orthodontist” Locator – complimentary listing of your personal/practice information via aaoinfo.org
• Patient Management Materials – forms and releases, patient education and more
• Dental Benefits Advisory Service Helpdesk – assistance with third-party payer and carrier issues
• The Practice Management Bulletin – complimentary print subscription and online access (published six times per year)
• AAO Tech Talk Blog – informational content offering member and expert insights on orthodontic practice technology
• Orthodontic Staff Resources – educational opportunities and practice management materials for staff, including resources to celebrate Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week

 
 

RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR PRACTICE

• Practice Marketing Materials – customizable materials from AAO’s Consumer Awareness Program, AAO member logos and more
• “Find an Orthodontist” Locator – complimentary listing of your personal/practice information via aaoinfo.org
• AAO Career Center – online matching service to promote available openings for associateships, partnerships and more
• Career Management Resources – information on hiring, practice transitions and more
• Practice Transition Seminar – full-day program at each Annual Session
• Orthodontic Career Fair – online each fall and in-person at each Annual Session to promote available practice opportunities

 
RESOURCES TO MANAGE YOUR PRACTICE

• Patient Management Materials – forms and releases, patient education and more
• Dental Benefits Advisory Service Helpdesk – assistance with third-party payer and carrier issues
• Legal Resources – sample contracts, legal summaries and answers to common legal questions
• Risk Management Resources – articles and guidance for avoiding malpractice claims
• AAO-Endorsed Insurance – discounted professional liability insurance via AAO Insurance Company, as well as a variety of group insurance plans
• AAO-Endorsed Business Solutions – human resources management (via HR for Health), patient financing (via Lending Club), patient payment services (via TransFirst Health Services) and more
• Business of Orthodontics Webinar Series – finance, legal and other business topics via complimentary live and recorded webinars
• Business of Orthodontics Podcast – topical discussions on practice management, legal and more
• Office Design Manual – resources for designing the optimal office space
• The Practice Management Bulletin – complimentary print subscription and online access (published six times per year)
• AAO Tech Talk Blog – informational content offering member and expert insights on orthodontic practice technology
• Orthodontic Staff Resources – educational opportunities and practice management materials for staff, including resources to celebrate Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week

Attention retired or retiring orthodontists: Transition your membership status to “retired” to receive all the benefits of AAO membership for no cost or only $36 annually to receive the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO). Retired members must have accumulated a minimum of ten years of membership with the AAO (excluding Student Membership). For assistance, contact AAO Member Services at membership@aaortho.org or 800-424-2841.
 
RESOURCES TO MANAGE YOUR PRACTICE

• Patient Management Materials – forms and releases, patient education and more
• Dental Benefits Advisory Service Helpdesk – assistance with third-party payer and carrier issues
• Legal Resources – sample contracts, legal summaries and answers to common legal questions
• Risk Management Resources – articles and guidance for avoiding malpractice claims
• AAO-Endorsed Insurance – discounted professional liability insurance via AAO Insurance Company, as well as a variety of group insurance plans
• AAO-Endorsed Business Solutions – human resources management (via HR for Health), patient financing (via Lending Club), travelers insurance (via MedjetAssist) and more
• Business of Orthodontics Webinar Series – finance, legal and other business topics via complimentary live and recorded webinars
• Business of Orthodontics Podcast – topical discussions on practice management, legal and more
• Office Design Manual – resources for designing the optimal office space
• The Practice Management Bulletin – complimentary print subscription and online access (published six times per year)
• AAO Tech Talk Blog – informational content offering member and expert insights on orthodontic practice technology
• Orthodontic Staff Resources – educational opportunities and practice management materials for staff, including resources to celebrate Orthodontic Staff Appreciation Week
• Practice Marketing Materials – customizable materials from AAO’s Consumer Awareness Program, AAO member logos and more
• “Find an Orthodontist” Locator – complimentary listing of your personal/practice information via aaoinfo.org

 
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TRANSITION

• AAO Career Center – online matching service to promote practice sales and identify available locum tenens opportunities
• Career Management Resources – information on practice valuation, selling a practice and more
• Practice Transition Seminar – full-day program at each Annual Session
• Orthodontic Career Fair – online each fall and in-person at each Annual Session to promote available practice opportunities

• American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) – complimentary print subscription and online access, as well as low-cost online tests to earn CE
• Charles R. Baker Memorial Library – online catalog for literature searches, including a complimentary scanning/emailing service
• Clinical Practice Guidelines – assistance with practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances
• Ethics Resources – resources to maintain the highest standard of professional conduct
• Online Learning Program – low-cost live and recorded webinars on clinical and practice management topics
• AAO Annual Session – discounted registration
• AAO Winter Conference – discounted registration

ORTHODONTIC SPECIALTY ADVOCACY

• Political Action Committee – services to influence the federal government on behalf of the interests of the orthodontic specialty and dental profession
• Legislative Action Center – information on the latest legislative issues and AAO’s advocacy efforts
• Component Legal Support Fund – financial support provided to component organizations to assist with state or province-level legal and legislative issues that impact orthodontic practice
• Professional Advocacy Conference – annual meeting with legislators in Washington, DC (invitation only)

 
CONSUMER AWARENESS PROGRAM (CAP)

• National Advertising and Public Relations Initiatives – promotion of the orthodontic specialty to grow the market for orthodontic services and educate the public about treatment provided by orthodontic specialists
• AAO Consumer Website – information about orthodontics, orthodontic specialists, treatment options and other interactive features at aaoinfo.org
• Materials for Use and Customization – complimentary access to professionally-developed CAP materials

 
DONATED ORTHODONTIC SERVICES (DOS)

• Access to Orthodontic Treatment – program for indigent children without insurance coverage or who do not qualify for other assistance in their state of residence
• Volunteer Opportunities – online application to become as a DOS provider
• State Programs – resources to establish DOS in states where the program does not currently have a presence
• Program Donations – contributions accepted via one-time contributions, periodic pledges and Amazon.com purchases

• AAO eBulletin – weekly email newsletter featuring orthodontics news, member accolades and more
• AAO Member Website – full access at aaoinfo.org/members
• AAO Member Directory – index of AAO members searchable by name, location and other criteria
• AAO Mobile App – available for iOS and Android
• AAO Social Media – member news and announcements posted regularly on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram