Founded in 1900, the American
Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
has more than 14,600 members. Active
AAO members limit their practices to the
dental specialty of Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopedics. Orthodontists
are dental specialists with at least
two years of advanced orthodontic
education after dental school.
The purposes of the American
Association of Orthodontists and
its member orthodontists are:
to advance the art and science
of orthodontics;
to encourage and sponsor research;
to strive for and maintain the highest
standards of excellence in orthodontic
education and practice;
and to make significant contributions
to the health of the public