Where can you learn new dental techniques, hear about the latest technology and products, earn continuing education (CE) credits, get the opportunity to network with other industry professionals — and have some fun at the same time? At dental conferences, of course!
The Best Dental Conferences in 2024
Below, you'll find the list of the best dental conferences to check out in 2024, some tips for choosing the right event, and easy ways to make the most of the experience.
1. Rocky Mountain Dental Convention
Date: January 18-20
Location: Denver, CO
Cost: Fees for members range from $0 to $419. The courses are extra.
What to Expect: The Metro Denver Dental Society and Mountain West Dental Institute present this conference, a gathering of dental professionals in the Rocky Mountain region.
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details.
Speakers/Topics: Featured topics include dental implants, airway orthodontia and sleep apnea, dental pharmacology, and dental marketing strategies.
2. Crown Council's Annual Event
Date: January 25-27
Location: Austin, TX
Cost: The attendance fee is $1,395, which includes three meals each day, two of which are the dinner celebrations.
About/What to Expect: This event is a premier team-building conference for your dental staff and focuses on personal and professional wellness. It bills itself as an “experience” focused on building a “culture of success” in your dental practice.
CE Credits Available: 15
Speakers/Topics: This dental conference includes hands-on events to encourage collaboration and motivational talks. Presentations include a talk from Emily Gregory, MD, “Essential Tools for When the Conversation Really Matters.”
3. Yankee Dental Congress
Date: January 25-27
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: Some courses are included in the registration fee. Others have an additional charge. Registration is $75 for ADA members and $99 for nonmembers.
About/What to Expect: The Yankee Dental Congress is New England's largest meeting for dental professionals and is sponsored by the Massachusetts Dental Society. It is an annual tradition for more than 25,000 dental professionals.
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details.
Speakers/Topics: This conference features more than 250 courses on dental topics along with hands-on education sessions. Topics in 2024 include TMJ management, infection control and prevention, sleep apnea, and patient-driven changes to dentistry.
4. American Academy of Dental Group Practice Expo
Date: February 1-2
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Registration fees range from $695 to $2,000, depending on membership status and registration date.
About/What to Expect: The expo features speakers, networking opportunities, and exhibits.
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details.
Speakers/Topics: The 2024 opening keynote address is “Disrupt Yourself: The Key to Success in Uncertain Times,” by Whitney Johnson, CEO, author, and motivational speaker. Session topics include managing pain and dental anxiety, inclusive leadership and the impact of diversity, and building the infrastructure for today’s DSO.
Handle/Hashtag: @AADGP
5. Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting
Date: February 22-24
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Registration is free for CDS members and up to $155 for ADA members, depending on when you register. Non-ADA members pay $850. Registration of three people gains a fourth registration for free. Most programs are extra, but you can also opt to register for a lecture package for $285 that includes admission to lectures. However, workshops are an additional charge.
About/What to Expect: The conference promises engaging programs, exciting events, and an exhibit hall featuring technological innovations. It also has a live patient demonstration area.
CE Credits Available: Yes; listed in the course descriptions.
Speakers/Topics: Various topics are offered for administrative and clinical staff members. In addition, the event has daily hands-on workshops in a variety of fields. Topics in 2024 include healthy living in a stressful world, diagnosing ulcerative conditions, and dental implants.
6. National Oral Health Conference
Date: April 15-17
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Cost: Early-bird registration fees range from $795 to $1,000 for the full conference. Students pay $325 to $400.
About/What to Expect: The NOHC provides networking opportunities and continuing education. The conference is essential for those involved in public health dentistry, CHIP dental program staff, territorial dental directors, and anyone involved in the public's oral health. Indeed, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) will meet in joint sessions again in 2024. Education is provided in several formats, including didactic presentations.
CE Credits Available: Yes; see website for details.
Speakers/Topics: Topics include everything from vaccination and dentistry to alternative dental care.
Handle/Hashtag: @AAPHDorg
7. Pacific Northwest Dental Conference
Date: May 9-11
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost: Pricing depends on membership and position in the firm. For past years, office managers paid $150, and dental hygienists paid $225. Many dental lectures are included in the cost.
About/What to Expect: The Washington State Dental Association hosts the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, which is a three-day event. Exhibits are offered for two days.
CE Credits Available: 20+
Speakers/Topics: Speakers cover various topics, including quality dental hygiene education, restorative dentistry, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and lasers.
Handle/Hashtag: @TheWSDA
8. TDA Meeting
Date: May 16-18
Location: San Antonio, TX
Cost: Texas Dental Association (TDA) members can attend for free if they register during the early registration period (Jan. 15–Feb. 16); thereafter, they pay $50-$75. ADA member dentists outside of Texas pay between $125 and $175, depending on when they register. Non-ADA members pay between $750 and $800.
About/What to Expect: This conference features 42+ speakers and 27+ workshops.
CE Credits Available: Yes; see website for details.
Speakers/Topics: Speakers include dental and business experts who present on a number of topics. Although the 2024 schedule is not yet available, past topics have included bone regeneration, building accountability among team members, handling anxious patients, and treating dry mouth.
Handle/Hashtag: @TDAMeeting
9. Charter Oak Dental Meeting
Date: May 15-17
Location: Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort, Uncasville, CT
Cost: Typically range from free (CSDA new dentist members and students) to $150 (nonmembers). Most lectures in the past have required nominal additional fees.
About/What to Expect: This conference, sponsored by the Connecticut State Dental Association, is geared to all types of dental professionals, from general practitioners to specialists to office managers. Its schedule offers lecture sessions, hands-on tech courses, and exhibits showing the latest products and services.
CE Credits Available: Yes; see the website for details.
Speakers/Topics: The 2024 course schedule is not yet available. In the past, topics have included oral and maxillofacial surgery, restorative dentistry, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry.
Handle/Hashtag: @CSDAEducation
10. AGD 2024 (Academy of General Dentistry)
Date: July 17-20
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Typically varies depending on membership status and experience in the profession, ranging from $199-$450. Course registration is usually additional.
About/What to Expect: The AGD conference describes itself as the "premier meeting for general dentistry." The AGD annual scientific session has earned a reputation for having some of the finest dental continuing education in the world. The conference offers one-hour hands-on education and clinical and practice management lectures. Attendees can apply the continuing education earned at the conference toward the AGD Fellowship and Mastership Awards.
CE Credits Available: Yes; see website for details.
Speakers/Topics: Topics for 2024 have not been posted yet, but 2023 courses covered a wide range of topics, including “Dental Lasers: Improving Clinical Outcomes and Growing Practice Revenue,” “Digital Dentures: Scanning, Milling, and Printing,” “Simplified Aligner Therapy for the General Practitioner Workshop,” and “The Myths and Realities of the Link Between Oral Disease and Systemic Conditions.”
Handle/Hashtag: @AGDdentist
11. American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Conference
Date: July 26-28
Location: New Orleans, LA
Cost: Although guests and students can pay less, those wanting CE credit will pay between $399 and $699, depending on membership status and registration date.
About/What to Expect: This conference is the largest dedicated specifically to dental hygienists. It offers lectures, master classes, and hands-on labs. It also includes an ADHA Institute for Oral Health volunteer day, an exhibition hall, and a networking event.
CE Credits Available: Up to 22 CEUs.
Speakers/Topics: Topics in 2024 fall within four specialized educational tracks: the role of the dental hygienist, self-care, oral health literacy, and mandatory learning for licensing.
Handle/Hashtag: @YourADHA
12. National Dental Association (NDA) Annual Convention
Date: July 25–28
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Fees are structured by NDA membership and registration date. Typically range from $400 to $1,150.
About/What to Expect: This conference is a popular choice for those who hope to promote healthcare equity among people of color. It includes special tracks for new dentists and students. In addition to a wide range of speakers, it includes an exhibition hall and a forum for minority oral health professionals.
CE Credits Available: Yes; listed in the course descriptions.
Speakers/Topics: Topics for 2024 are not yet available. Past topics have included implant basics, dental ethics and informed consent, and mentorship and recruitment diversity.
13. Southwest Dental Conference
Date: August 16-17
Location: Dallas, TX
Cost: Typically each course or workshop required a ticket, which ranged in price from $30 to more than $200.
About/What to Expect: The theme for the 2024 Southwest Dental Conference is “Empowering Innovation and Productivity.” The conference, hosted by the Dallas County Dental Society, offers sessions and workshops that focus in 2024 on cutting-edge technologies, including digital dentistry, as well as practice management and productivity strategies. Networking events and an exhibit hall are included as well.
CE Credits Available: Yes; see website for details.
Speakers/Topics: The preliminary course schedule includes topics such as 3D printing, CBCT interpretation, practice management, and maximizing insurance reimbursements. Check the website for additions to the course schedule.
Handle/Hashtag: @SWDentalConf
14. American Dental Association (ADA) SmileCon
Date: October 17-19
Location: New Orleans, LA
Cost: Cost varies depending on when a dental team registers.
About/What to Expect: Sponsored by the ADA, SmileCon is a premier conference that offers a range of sessions, workshops, and continuing education opportunities, as well as networking events and exhibits. The ADA’s annual meeting is also held during SmileCon.
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details.
Speakers/Topics: The list of topics and speakers for SmileCon 2024 are not yet available, but past events have included topics on marketing, best practices, compliance, and innovative technology in the dental world.
15. American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Annual Session
Date: November 6-9
Location: Marco Island, FL
Cost: Varies depending on registration category and date.
About/What to Expect: This is a specialized event for prosthodontists. The theme for 2024 has not yet been announced, but in 2023 the conference focused on how to “keep the fundamentals at heart, while utilizing the latest advancements in dental technology.”
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details.
Speakers/Topics: Speakers and topics for 2024 will be posted closer to November. Topics in 2023 included digital technology, implant complications, and tissue regeneration.
16. Greater New York Dental Meeting
Date: Meeting Dates: November 29-December 4. Exhibit Dates: December 1-4
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free pre-registration until November 29 (opens April 2024). $50 on-site & online registration starts November 29-December 4. Some seminars and workshops cost extra.
About/What to Expect: As one of the largest dental gatherings in the US, you’ll hear from some of the top educators and leaders in the field. Attend half-day or full-day seminars and workshops focused on the latest dentistry developments. And roam the vast exhibition floor to see demos of innovative dental technology and services at work.
CE Credits Available: Yes; check website for details
Speakers/Topics: Plans for 2024 include symposiums on dental implants, orthodontics, 3-D printing, oral health, pediatrics, public health, women's health, special needs, and dental laboratory education.
4 Benefits of Attending Dental Conferences
What you learn at dental conferences can benefit you now and in the future. What you can’t put to immediate use in your practice might very well pay off a year or two from now.
Learn New Techniques & Current Research
Much of what you learn during presentations can be put right to work once you return home. This might include new techniques for procedures you already do, better products to replace the ones you use now, or tips for what apps or vlogs might help make you and your staff more efficient.
Even if it’s not feasible right away to use the research and trends you learn about at the conference, getting insight into the future of the dentistry field can help you plan for next year or the year after. Understanding what other dentists are discovering and practicing gives you an edge in deciding where you want to take your practice and thinking about how you’ll get there.
Earn CE Credits
A key benefit to attending a dental conference is that you can earn continued education credits. Fitting continuing education courses into your daily schedule can be challenging, which means it’s easy to let CE requirements slip off your radar until the last minute. Earning credits while attending a conference is an ideal and efficient way to make your life easier when license renewal time approaches.
Network
Networking with other dental professionals is another huge benefit. Some of the best suggestions can come from other dentists who’ve learned through experience what works and what doesn’t. Not only that, you might be building professional relationships that help you grow your practice or company. So go ahead and exchange contact information to use once the conference is over.
Renew Yourself & Your Practice
Finally, simply taking a break from your daily dental practice can recharge you and give you some well-earned social time. Plus, listening to expert presenters, learning about new research, and sharing stories with colleagues might just remind you why you chose dentistry to begin with.
How to Choose the Best Dental Conference
Because taking time away from your busy practice isn't easy, choose which annual conference is best for you by researching ahead of time. Consider your primary goal in attending the conference: networking for career growth, learning about new advances, connecting with colleagues, getting CE credits, or something else.
While most conferences provide a mix of learning, socializing, and networking, each one typically emphasizes slightly different things. Here are some strategies for choosing which conference will best help you meet your goals this year.
Consider the Focus
Some conferences target different practice areas, such as pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, forensic dentistry, or oral pathology. Honing in on your specialty or practice area could open you up to better networking and learning opportunities for your skill set.
Evaluate the Learning Opportunities at the Conference
You want to learn from experts in the field, such as national experts, seasoned dentists, and those using the latest technology. Review the online program for each conference and then research the speakers' credentials to ensure you'll gain the latest and most comprehensive continuing education.
Evaluate the Networking Potential
You’ll want to consider the credentials of the attendees. You can do this by reviewing the speaker list and the sponsor list. The dental conference should have a Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn page, and you can look at its followers for a sense of who is attending. And ask your current networking circle if they’ll be attending.
Another good way to see whether the conference will be a helpful networking opportunity is to look at the agenda. Are there group functions (aka networking events) planned? Are breaks built into the schedule?
Review the Location
Can you easily attend all the conference events without a car? For example, are the hotel and events within walking distance or accessible by shuttle? Also, many people like to attend conferences in or near cities they'd like to visit. If location is important for you, you might focus first on industry events in a particular region.
Remember that attending a dental conference annually is critical to helping you learn new techniques, keep up with the big news in the industry, and build relationships with other professionals in the dental field.
How to Prepare for a Dental Conference
You'll want to prepare to get the most benefit from attending the conference.
Register Early
Many dental conferences offer discounts for those who register early. Depending on the event, you may not always know the speakers attending, but committing early also allows you to block off your time away from the office and schedule any necessary replacements.
Secure Lodging & Transportation
You can also save money by booking your hotel early. Many conferences make arrangements with hotels for a certain number of rooms at a discounted conference rate. The rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take a Colleague
You may get more out of the conference if you take a colleague with you. For example, having a friend at networking events can make approaching others less awkward. Also, large conferences usually have many events occurring simultaneously. If several colleagues from your practice attend, they can split up and share the knowledge from each event. Cost, relevance, and logistics are factors in determining who to send. Sometimes, you may consider taking your entire dental team to the conference.
Decide Which Vendors to See
A conference presents a fantastic opportunity to see new products and technologies, such as dental robotics and laser dentistry. It’s also a great time to decide whether products you already use, like dental malpractice insurance, might benefit from an upgrade (Berxi’s dental malpractice insurance, for example, features flexible insurance limits and is typically 20% less expensive than the competition). However, the product exhibitions at many conferences are so extensive that you may not be able to visit every vendor. Go through the vendor list and highlight which ones appeal to you and mark where they’ll be on the floor plan.
You also might inventory your practice equipment and instruments before you attend and decide what you need. Be sure to record information about your current equipment so that you can compare it with what you see on the exhibit floor.
Also, check social media throughout the days of the conference. Often, vendors will post deals on social media.
Create a Map
Many large conferences are in sprawling convention cities or spread across several buildings. Print a map or download a mapping app to your phone ahead of time so you'll know where to find your lodging. If you're driving, also be sure you identify your parking options.
Plan Your Itinerary
Look carefully at the conference brochure and plan which events you and your colleagues will attend. Register for ones that meet your goals and at least one for personal enrichment, giving you an opportunity to expand your thinking and learn something that interests you, even if it’s not connected to a specific goal. Don't forget to allow time for networking, socializing, and rest. Gaining too much information in a short time can be exhausting.
Pack Conference Essentials
You'll want to pack several essentials for your conference:
- A phone charger
- Business cards
- Water and snacks if your conference doesn't already provide them
- Comfortable, professional-looking shoes and clothes since you'll be standing or walking a lot but need to look professional too
- A notebook to jot notes in sessions to share with colleagues and remind yourself of what you learned
5 Possible Goals for a Dental Conference
Before you leave, set specific goals you’d like to meet while at the conference.
The most successful goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Here’s an example of five goals you might make for a dental conference:
1. Develop new networking relationships with five new colleagues.
Putting a number on this makes it measurable, and stating “networking relationship” makes it a specific goal.
2. Learn two new marketing strategies for your dental practice.
A dental practice is a business. Even learning two new dental marketing ideas can help you bring in new patients.
3. Gain a yearly update on medical billing practices and requirements for insurance.
Dental insurance companies are constantly changing the rules, so this goal helps you remain compliant so you can get paid.
4. Buy a new dental die and casting machine.
Tailor this goal to the equipment your team needs, but you can have a goal of buying something new at the event.
5. Learn about two new leadership opportunities in local chapters of dental societies.
This is a highly specific, targeted goal that you can act on when you return to your community from your conference.
Final Thoughts: Learning Now and into the Future
Attending a dental conference is one invaluable way to grow your knowledge, your practice, and your professional peer group – all in a single event. And 2024 offers many top-notch dental conferences to choose from.
Not only do you learn a lot while attending a conference, you keep building on what you learned once you return to the office. You may try a new way of performing an old procedure, or test a product you saw in a demonstration. Maybe you commit to networking more with your local dental community, or find ways to educate your team on new research. Attending a dental conference can get you and your colleagues excited about dentistry all over again.
One item to consider adding to your growing list of new topics is malpractice risk, an unfortunate reality in today’s modern dentistry. Statistics show that malpractice is a growing problem, and individual stories of dentists’ being sued abound. Learn more about the sobering statistics and read our Dental Malpractice Guide to start learning about how to protect your practice from malpractice risk.
Image courtesy of istock.com/sanjeri