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The Golden Age of OrthodonticsAuthor: Dr. Leon Klempner
Are you an Orthodontist wondering how to grow your practice in this fast-paced, competitive marketplace that seems to be changing every day? The Golden Age of Orthodontics, formerly The Survival Guide for Orthodontists podcast, is dedicated to making you the authority in orthodontics to prospective new patients in your community. Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein, co-founders of People & Practice, know the business of orthodontics. They bring you insights, tips and guest interviews focused on helping you thrive in a massively disrupted industry. Put more patients in chairs by competing on expertise and trust, not the lowest fees. Dedicated to making you the authority in orthodontics. Language: en Genres: Business, Management, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Is the AAO still worth it? CEO Trey Lawrence answers
Episode 82
Wednesday, 25 March, 2026
AAO membership delivers far more than most orthodontists realize, and the CEO of the American Association of Orthodontists, Trey Lawrence, is here to prove it. In this episode of the Golden Age of Orthodontics, Dr. Leon Klempner and Amy Epstein sit down with Trey to explore how the American Association of Orthodontists is evolving to meet today's most pressing challenges. From a powerful legal toolkit for new orthodontists to exclusive buying group benefits for 19,000 members, the AAO is fighting hard on multiple fronts. Trey breaks down the association's bold stance on AI in orthodontic treatment planning and why keeping the human in command is non-negotiable as technology reshapes the specialty.What You Will Learn In This Episode:AAO membership benefits extend well beyond continuing education. Trey walks through the new legal toolkit for orthodontists, including a contract guide designed to protect recent graduates from dangerous rookie mistakes in their first associate employment agreements.The AAO's human-in-command framework establishes that no AI treatment-planning tool should operate without a licensed clinician holding ultimate responsibility, thereby protecting both patient safety and the doctor-patient relationship.The AAO's consumer awareness program is actively shaping how AI-powered search and large language models like ChatGPT answer patient questions, ensuring that searches about orthodontic care consistently point toward board-certified orthodontists.Subscribe to the Golden Age of Orthodontics and our sister podcast, Practice Talk, hosted by Lacie Ellis, wherever you listen to stay updated on orthodontic innovation and real-world practice strategies. Visit People in Practice for more insights and to connect with our team for practice growth solutions.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Is AAO membership still worth the dues? Introduction of Trey Lawrence, CEO of the American Association of Orthodontists05:03 Trey details the AAO's new legal toolkit for orthodontists and how the associate contract guide protects new grads11:14 How the AAO is tackling rising orthodontic practice overhead through endorsed partnerships, cybersecurity, and 401 (k) benefits18:07 Trey explains the AAO's human-in-command policy and its AI in orthodontic treatment planning position paper24:30 The AAO's consumer awareness program and how it is influencing AI search engines to direct patients to orthodontists29:52 Trey addresses what orthodontists are telling him: concerns over general dentist competition and the state of orthodontic practice management36:54 A preview of the AAO annual session in Orlando, including the Universal Studios buyout and what members can expect from world-class CE and networkingKEY TAKEAWAYS: Signing an orthodontic associate employment agreement without fully understanding it is one of the costliest mistakes new graduates make. The AAO's contract guide provides critical commentary on every clause, including the warning that verbal promises from employers mean nothing once ownership changes hands.The AAO is proactively engaging with the FDA and state dental boards through a formal white paper on AI in orthodontics, ensuring regulators view the association as a trusted authority before harmful policies are enacted.General dentist competition in orthodontics is real, but Trey argues that orthodontists who embrace smart pricing strategies, remote monitoring, and digital efficiency will make choosing a specialist an obvious decision for the vast majority of patients.ABOUT THE GUEST: Trey Lawrence currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for the American Association of Orthodontists. Before assuming the CEO role in March 2024, Trey led the AAO’s Legal and Advocacy teams as General Counsel for several years. Trey frequently discusses legal issues for orthodontic practices in podcast appearances, interviews, and articles, and he has conducted the AAO’s Resident Legal Course at residency programs throughout the nation for the past five years. Trey has also shared legal information and resources with orthodontists and practices through his Instagram account, @theorthattorney. Before joining the AAO in 2018, Trey spent nearly 20 years in law practice with Thompson Coburn LLP, a law firm of approximately 600 attorneys based in St. Louis with offices across the United States. Trey received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree from Harvard University.AAO Legal ToolkitRESOURCES MENTIONED:People + Practice - Website Practice TalkDr. Leon Klempner - People + Practice
