[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(29,41,61,0.6)” background_image=”https:\/\/dev.pmwebdesigns.com\/cao\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LegislativeHeader1.webp” background_blend=”multiply” min_height=”600px” custom_padding=”32px|32px|32px|32px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|16px||16px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|16px||16px|true|true” custom_css_free_form=”selector {|| display: flex !important;|| align-items: center;||}” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Legislator Resources” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”48px” title_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||16px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”36px” title_font_size_phone=”36px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”768px” module_alignment=”center” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Tools and information to help you connect with your elected representatives<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”90%” max_width=”2560px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”gcid-d497514d-7332-490f-9a14-82b313bda8ca” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d497514d-7332-490f-9a14-82b313bda8ca%22:%91%22link_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n Welcome to Policy Resources for Policy Makers! As legislators, your decisions profoundly impact healthcare standards. Our concise resources offer crucial insights into orthodontic care, covering topics from the risks of direct-to-consumer orthodontics to the necessity of comprehensive diagnostic records and in-person examinations. Grounded in scientific evidence, these resources support informed policymaking to safeguard patient safety.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev.pmwebdesigns.com\/cao\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cao-logo-2019.png” title_text=”cao-logo-2019″ align_tablet=”” align_phone=”left” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”63%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dev.pmwebdesigns.com\/cao\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AAO-logo-M-c-e-210w.png” title_text=”AAO-logo-M-c-e-210w” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#D1F0FE” width=”100%” max_width=”2560px” custom_padding=”4%||4%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||400″ url=”https:\/\/caortho.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lobby_Day_In_Person_Examination_Memo.pdf” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”90%” max_width=”2560px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”gcid-d497514d-7332-490f-9a14-82b313bda8ca” link_option_url=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1025111732″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-d497514d-7332-490f-9a14-82b313bda8ca%22:%91%22link_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Things to consider when making policy\u00a0decisions related\u00a0to direct-to-consumer orthodontics<\/a><\/p>\n Orthodontic treatment is a complex process that could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues if not done correctly.<\/a><\/p>\n Information about the CAO including supported legislation<\/a><\/p>\n The CAO has significant concerns about certain components that are common to direct-to-consumer orthodontic treatment, such as the patient never being seen in-person and the absence of x-rays prior to beginning treatment. These concerns are based on reliable, peer-reviewed scientific evidence, and are focused on protecting the health and well-being of the patient.<\/p>\n Learn more about CAO\u2019s position in this one-page summary<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Assessing patients properly before beginning treatment is essential to patient safety and effective treatment planning. This begins with collecting basic but critical information about the patient\u2019s oral health through a variety of records.<\/p>\n See what records are needed before beginning treatment<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n An in-person examination by a dentist or orthodontist prior to beginning orthodontic treatment is essential. The CAO joins our national organization, the AAO in advocating for laws that require an in-person examination prior to orthodontic treatment, based on reliable scientific evidence.<\/p>\n This summary lays out the need for laws requiring an in-person examination<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Radiographic imaging (x-rays and other types) is an essential component of the evaluation and diagnosis that must occur prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. The CAO advocates for laws that require radiographic imaging prior to orthodontic treatment, based on reliable scientific evidence.<\/p>\n This new summary lays out the need for laws requiring radiographic imaging<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Dental boards and state legislatures have expressed concern that patients who elect to receive orthodontic treatment through mail-order are not being adequately protected. Mail-order orthodontic companies are using a catch-22 hoping to prevent legislators and dental boards from codifying, in statute or regulation, a standard of care that would protect these patients.<\/p>\n Learn more about how this is happening<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n AAO Student Loan Debt. Easing the burden through reforms.<\/p>\nPolicy Resources<\/h1>\n
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Download Legislator Talking Points<\/h2>\n
DIY Orthodontics Legislator FAQ<\/h2>\n
Questions to ask about the safety of DTC orthodontics<\/h2>\n
CAO Background Handout 2026<\/h2>\n
CAO Position on DTC Orthodontics<\/h2>\n
CAO Recommendation for Diagnostic Records<\/h2>\n
The Importance of In-person Examinations<\/h2>\n
The Importance of Radiographic Imaging<\/h2>\n
Teledentistry Catch-22<\/h2>\n
Student Loan Debt Video<\/h2>\n