Membership
The Ontario Association of Orthodontists brings together Ontario’s certified orthodontic specialists. As a member, you add your voice to the specialty’s voice with patients, regulators, other dental organizations and government, and you get the education, referrals and community that come with it.
Who can join
To join as an Active member, you must be a certified specialist in orthodontics, have graduated from an accredited university graduate program, and be registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) with a Specialty Certificate or a General and Specialty Certificate.
Orthodontic residents enrolled full-time in a post-graduate orthodontic program can join as Student members, at no cost for programs in Ontario.
Why join the OAO
Patients find you
Our consumer awareness campaign has driven 10,000 potential patients to our website since June 2016, and every member is listed in Find an OAO Orthodontist.
Free continuing education
Attend the twice-yearly business meetings and two Core 1 lectures. These 6 CE credit courses are free for Active, Academic and Student members.
Scientific session
Our biennial scientific session offers outstanding CE, including Core 1 courses, at a great value.
Protecting the specialty
We monitor and communicate with the RCDSO when general dentists misrepresent orthodontic specialty credentials.
A voice for orthodontists
We advocate for the specialty with the RCDSO, ODA, AAO, CAO, GLAO and the public.
Colleagues and community
Members-only groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and the chance to connect with colleagues across Ontario.
Members also get the members area of this website: member documents, past newsletters, the photo gallery and the Marketplace for classified listings.
Membership classes
The OAO’s By-law No. 4 sets out five classes of membership. Annual dues for each class are set by the Board of Directors. You’ll see current dues when you apply online.
Practising orthodontists
Active member
An orthodontic specialist registered by the RCDSO and holding either a Specialty Certificate or a General and Specialty Certificate.
- Pays full annual dues and any annual or other assessments.
- New graduates: no dues or assessments for the first membership year after the year of graduation.
- Dues
- Full
- Vote
- Yes
- Hold office
- Yes
Faculty
Academic member
An orthodontist registered by the RCDSO and holding an Academic Certificate or a Specialty Certificate, with a letter from the dean or director of their academic institution confirming full-time academic status.
- Full-time faculty in a university orthodontic department in Ontario pay 50% of annual dues and 100% of any annual or other assessments.
- Dues
- 50%*
- Vote
- Yes
- Hold office
- Yes
Orthodontic residents
Student member
An individual enrolled in a full-time post-graduate orthodontic program in Ontario. The application must be signed by the student’s program director.
- No dues or assessments.
- Residents outside Ontario may apply, with verification of enrolment from their program director. Their fees are set by the Board when the application is received.
- Dues
- None*
- Vote
- No
- Hold office
- No
After 20+ years
Retired member
An orthodontist who is or was registered by the RCDSO, is no longer practising or teaching orthodontics, and has been an OAO member for at least 20 years.
- May be required to pay annual dues and assessments, at the Board’s discretion.
- Dues
- Set by Board
- Vote
- No
- Hold office
- No
By appointment
Honorary member
An individual appointed as an honorary member by the OAO Board. Honorary membership is not applied for.
- No dues or assessments.
- Dues
- None
- Vote
- No
- Hold office
- No
* Academic: 50% dues applies to full-time faculty in an Ontario university orthodontic department. Student: no dues for Ontario programs; fees for residents outside Ontario are set by the Board.
Compare classes
| Class | Who it’s for | Annual dues | Vote at meetings | Officer or director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | RCDSO-registered orthodontic specialists | Full (none in first year after graduation) | Yes | Yes |
| Academic | Orthodontists in full-time academic positions | 50% for full-time Ontario faculty | Yes | Yes |
| Student | Full-time post-graduate orthodontic residents | None (Ontario programs) | No | No |
| Retired | Members of 20+ years, no longer practising or teaching | At the Board’s discretion | No | No |
| Honorary | Appointed by the Board | None | No | No |
Keeping your membership in good standing
Renewing
Dues and assessments are due each year. A membership ends automatically if a fee or assessment is unpaid 60 days after it’s due. Members can renew online.
Resigning
You can resign at any time by writing to the Secretary of the Association at the OAO’s head office.
Rejoining
Former members can apply again, or send a written request for reinstatement. Any amounts owing, and any reinstatement fee or special assessment, must be paid first.
This page summarizes Section 11 of the OAO’s By-law No. 4 (June 2026). If anything here differs from the by-law, the by-law applies. Read By-law No. 4 (PDF)
Ready to join?
Apply online in a few minutes. Questions about which class is right for you? We’re happy to help.
