American Association of Orthodontists Political Action Committee Update

Dr. Ed Davis

I know each of you is busy in your practice and, hopefully, enjoying some time off to be in the sun. Exciting news abounds from Advocacy and the AAOPAC.

The AAOPAC exceeded its goal of $400,000 during the past fiscal year. It raised $427,851! This “blew away” the last record of $373,775. The SAO continues its strong presence with 231 contributors who donated a total of $125,451 to the PAC. The average contribution was $543 per person. The SAO had 7.2% participation, the highest percentage of donors from any AAO constituent. We celebrated a successful year, but we have a long way to go.

The new fiscal year has begun. SAO members will soon hear from me and the PAC captains. AAOPAC needs your continued support. We will have match opportunities at the 2023 SAO annual meeting. I hope to reach a goal of 10% SAO member participation this year.

I am excited to announce that MSO member, Dr. Deborah Lien, has been selected as the new AAOPAC Chairman. I've worked with Dr. Lien on AAOPAC and in sub-committees.

I assure everyone that she is an amazing person who is ready for the tasks at hand.

AAO Advocacy has been strong in our SAO. Florida has been working on SB 356 which concerns the practice of dentistry via teledentistry. This bill has passed all three Committees of Reference and the Florida Senate. There is similar legislation that is starting in Alabama where the advocacy team is currently working with a local lobbyist. If you are interested in being a part of your local advocacy, please reach out to me or Kim VanVeen who is with the advocacy team at the AAO. We can steer you in the right direction.

I appreciate all of your encouragement this last year and look forward to making our profession the best it can be with advocacy and political support.

– Ed Davis

SAO members joined fellow AAO members and the AAO PAC in Washington DC. Together, members advocated for the health and safety of our patients.