American Association of Orthodontists to Showcase Latest Patient Trends, Treatments, and Technologies at 112th Annual Session in Honolulu May 4 - May 8

ST. LOUIS, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), a professional organization that has more than 17,000 member orthodontists in the U.S., Canada and abroad, will host its 112th Annual Session at the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu from May 4 to May 8 – the first Annual Session since the organization announced its multi-million dollar "My Life. My Smile. My Orthodontist.(sm)" campaign and new website, MyLifeMySmile.org, aimed at educating the public about orthodontists' unique qualifications. The Annual Session, which is expected to draw 15,000 attendees, will showcase through more than 160 lectures the growing trend of adults seeking orthodontic treatment, the latest treatments developed to fit an adult lifestyle, and the latest technologies that orthodontists are implementing within their practices. 

AAO's Annual Session, the global premier gathering of orthodontists, will be the Hawai'i Convention Center's largest meeting of 2012.  Of the 15,000 expected attendees, there will be 850 international attendees representing more than 65 countries, surpassing the international turnout of last year's AAO annual conference in Chicago. More than 400 participants are also expected from Pacific Rim countries, including China, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan.  AAO members will enjoy more than 160 lectures, educational networking, and the opportunity to visit state-of-the-art displays by more than 300 companies offering orthodontic products and services at the Annual Session Exhibit Hall.  

"Within my own practice and throughout the AAO, I see how technologies and treatments are constantly evolving," said Michael B. Rogers, DDS, president of the American Association of Orthodontists.  "That is why I'm so excited to host our specialty's best and brightest at this year's Annual Session, and why I'm so proud of our recently launched consumer education campaign.  We want the public to know that, as highly educated specialists, our work with patients of all ages starts with the alignment of teeth and jaws for good function, good oral health, good physical health, and ultimately a healthy and beautiful smile."

The "My Life. My Smile. My Orthodontist.(sm)" campaign was designed to help the AAO reach adults who are considering improving their smiles.  The campaign maintains outreach to parents of children and teens, as well; people 17 and younger account for about 8 in 10 patients treated by orthodontists.  The campaign heralds the two-to-three years of additional education beyond dental school required to become an orthodontist, and reaffirms the AAO's role as a primary source of information on orthodontics and oral health.  

About the American Association of Orthodontists: Founded in 1900, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the world's oldest and largest dental specialty organization.  It represents more than 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.  The Association encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws.  After graduating from dental school and then completing the required two to three years of specialized education in an accredited orthodontic residency program, orthodontists are eligible for membership in the AAO.

For more information about orthodontics or to find AAO member orthodontists in your area, please visit MyLifeMySmile.org.

Media Contacts:
Pam Paladin
Marketing and Member/Consumer Relations Manager
American Association of Orthodontists
314-993-1700, ext. 524 (through May 1)
808-792-6543 – on-site Media Relations Center - May 3 – May 8
[email protected]

Kristen Ingraham
Finn Partners for AAO
(212)-593-5801
[email protected]

SOURCE American Association of Orthodontists