How AAO members influence Federal Advocacy
Dr. Yuna Park
As orthodontists, we know that advocacy matters. Many of the issues affecting our practices and patients begin at the state level, and continued involvement in state legislative and regulatory efforts remain essential. And while AAO continues to have great success throughout the country on defense and offense for our policy priorities, state advocacy alone is not enough.
Many of the most important issues facing our specialty today are being decided at the federal level. The AAO is actively advocating in Washington DC on matters that directly affect patient safety, access to care, practice viability, and the future of orthodontic workforce. Current priorities include federal teledentistry legislation, student loan debt challenges, small business and workforce concerns, responsible integration of AI in clinical practice, and broader efforts to expand access to quality care.
One of the clearest examples is teledentistry. The AAO is exploring what is possible now at the federal level to establish evidence-based protection for patients using teledentistry. The goal is not to restrict responsible teledentistry, but to help prevent harm caused by mail-order orthodontic treatment models that bypass appropriate diagnosis and supervision. A 2023 survey found that 77% of orthodontists reported seeing patients who needed re-treatment after using mail-order orthodontic treatment models without an initial in-person examination. Additional AAO resources note that more than 2,000 adverse event reports have been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) related to complications from mail-order aligner treatment, including severe pain, infection, bone damage, and tooth loss.
Another major federal issue is student loan debt. Orthodontic residents typically complete 10 to 11 years of education and training, often paying tuition during residency while receiving little to no salary. The AAO reports that the average orthodontic resident graduates with approximately $567,000 in student loan debt. New federal loan caps beginning July 1, 2026 may create significant new barriers to specialty training, increase reliance on private lending, and reduce access to the profession, especially for those from rural and underserved communities. The AAO is working with other dental organizations to advocate for delayed implementation of the new federal student loan caps that became law last year through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” You can read more about that here: AAO Leading on Student Loan Debt Challenges and Opportunities.
These are national issues that require a national advocacy strategy. That is why AAOPAC is so important. Supporting AAOPAC helps strengthen the AAO’s voice in Washington, DC and helps ensure that orthodontics is represented when lawmakers consider policies affecting our patients, our practices, and our profession.
Supporting AAOPAC
Supporting AAOPAC does not replace grassroots advocacy in our states, it complements it. State-level action remains indispensable, but it cannot address every issue alone. Many of the policies now shaping our professional environment are national in scope, and they require a coordinated national response. If we want to protect patients, support our practices, and safeguard the future of the specialty, we need to engage at both levels.
For NESO members, contributing to AAOPAC is a meaningful way to do exactly that. If we are not at the table, we are on the menu. AAOPAC helps ensure we are at the table to address timely challenges and as the AAO advocacy team works in concert with orthodontists through grassroots engagement to create new opportunities.
Contribute to the AAOPAC: AAOPAC.org