Learn more about the benefits, products and services for California Orthodontists who are members of the CAO.

About CAO Membership

Founded in 1967, the California Association of Orthodontists (CAO) represents more than 1,000 specialists in orthodontics who practice in California.

CAO members must also be members in good standing of the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO), a constituent society of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Membership Requirements and Application

Members must have successfully completed their orthodontic education from an American Dental Association approved school. In California, there are five dental schools with ADA approved orthodontic training programs. Membership into the  CAO gives you membership to the PCSO - Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontist (Regional) and the American Association of Orthodontists (National).

The Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists will process applications for the three organizations - CAO, PCSO, and AAO.  The American Association of Orthodontists will process the dues for the CAO, PCSO, and AAO.

If you have questions call (888) 242-3934, CAO headquarters.

Benefits of Membership

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Patient Education Materials

Two nationally recognized brochures help members educate patients about orthodontic services.

• You and Your Orthodontist is a complete information and patient consent booklet, used by orthodontists across the country and around the world.  It is available in both English and Spanish.
• Bite Down Early defines the advantages of early orthodontic detection and treatment. The four-color brochure includes a ruler to measure the extent of malocclusion. It is an effective patient relations piece and a valuable referral tool to give to general and pediatric dentist colleagues.

Samples of both brochures are available upon request.

Members may purchase both publications from the CAO office or by going to Products section of the CAO website.

You may also order booklets by calling: (888) 242-3934. 

CAO Member Alert!

CAO uses Member Alert! mailers, faxes, and/or e-mail as quick and efficient tools to communicate urgent information to members.

Frequently, these concise Alerts! have spurred orthodontists to action regarding membership concerns. The CAO Member Alert! is a lifeline in the whirl of changing delivery systems.

Continuing Education Conferences for Doctors and Staff

CAO have access to regional meetings for Orthodontic Staff with either clinical or non-clinical topics, with many of the lectures qualifying for continuing education units. These meetings occur in Northern, Central, and Southern locations and make attendance more accessible for members.

When PCSO annual scientific sessions are held in California, CAO provides unique one-day educational conferences for doctors and/or staff. 

Locum Tenens Service

AAO offers a Locum Tenens service for members. They can assist in placing orthodontists in temporary assignments or can provide you with a list of orthodontists who are willing to fill in on a temporary basis while you are out of the office, on an extended vacation, working on other projects, ill or disabled.

Contact mholman@aaortho.org or (800) 424-2841 Ext 587 for further information.