Student Member Benefits

Attention applicants: To apply for AAO Student Membership, you must be enrolled or accepted in an ADA/CDA-accredited orthodontic program in the U.S. or Canada. You may also be eligible for Student Membership if you completed your orthodontic education and are enrolled in a postgraduate program at an ADA/CDA-accredited university or are engaged in formal fellowship training. In this case, please download the application and return it by email, fax or mail with a letter from your program verifying your enrollment in the program and your expected date of completion.
 
  • To apply for Student Membership complete an online application. A PDF application is also available; however, the online application is preferred.
    • Student applications are processed upon receipt and applicants will be charged $30 for the first year’s dues.
    • First-time applicants must be members in good standing of the American Dental Association (ADA). You will need your ADA number to complete your AAO application.
    • If you are NOT a permanent U.S. resident, please download the application and return by email, fax or mail.
  • The membership period runs June 1 through May 31.
  • Student Members will automatically receive $100,000 of term life insurance, paid by AAO (U.S. residents only).
  • AAO Student Members are eligible to continue their Student Memberships through May 31 of the year following their orthodontic residency program graduation.
    • Note: Members who maintain their Student Membership after completing their orthodontic program will transition to either first-year Active Member (August-December graduates) or second-year Active Member (January-July graduates) once Student Membership eligibility expires.
  • Following your transition to Active Member status, your member dues and assessments are discounted in each of the first four years after completing your orthodontic program:
    • 90% discount during the first year after completing your orthodontic program
    • 75% discount during the second year
    • 50% discount during the third year
    • 25% discount during the fourth year
 
For more information contact AAO Member Services at membership@aaortho.org or 800-424-2841.
 
  • American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) – complimentary print subscription and online access
  • 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 – complimentary subscription to 400+ archived presentations via Online Lectures, as well as low-cost live webinars, on clinical and practice management topics
  • AAO Annual Session – complimentary registration when meeting the early deadline
  • 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 www.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