The Best Dental Conferences, Shows, and Summits to Attend in Summer 2026
The Best Dental Conferences, Shows, and Summits to Attend in Summer 2026
If you're looking to grow your dental practice, earn CE credits, discover new technology, and connect with industry leaders, summer is one of the busiest seasons on the dental conference calendar.
From large national conventions to practice management summits and specialty-focused meetings, dental events offer valuable opportunities to learn what's working in dentistry today, and what will shape the future of the profession tomorrow.
To help you plan your calendar, we've rounded up some of the top dental conferences, trade shows, and summits happening during Summer 2026.
Why Attend Dental Conferences?
The best dental conferences offer far more than continuing education.
Attendees often leave with:
New clinical techniques
Practice growth strategies
Technology insights
Vendor relationships
Continuing education credits
Networking opportunities
Leadership development skills
Fresh ideas for improving the patient experience
Whether you're a solo practitioner, part of a DSO, an office manager, or a dental hygienist, the right event can deliver value long after you return home. Now let's get into it!
1. AGD2026 Annual Meeting
Dates: June 24–27, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
The Academy of General Dentistry's annual meeting is widely regarded as one of the premier educational events for general dentists. AGD2026 features extensive continuing education opportunities, hands-on workshops, and access to leading experts across multiple specialties.
Why attend:
High-quality CE courses
Hands-on learning opportunities
Networking with thousands of dental professionals
Exposure to the latest clinical innovations
2. Florida Dental Convention
Dates: June 25–27, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
The Florida Dental Convention is one of the largest state dental meetings in the country. It combines clinical education, business-focused sessions, and a large exhibit hall showcasing emerging technologies and products.
Why attend:
Broad educational programming
Large vendor expo
Great event for entire dental teams
Strong focus on practice management and patient care
3. Dykema DSO Conference
Dates: July 15–17, 2026
Location: Denver, Colorado
For practice owners, DSOs, investors, and dental executives, the Dykema DSO Conference remains one of the industry's most influential business events. The conference focuses on scaling operations, acquisitions, leadership, and the future of group dentistry.
Why attend:
DSO growth strategies
Industry leadership insights
M&A trends
Executive-level networking
4. RDH Under One Roof
Dates: July 16–18, 2026
Location: National Harbor, Maryland
One of the most respected conferences for dental hygienists, RDH Under One Roof delivers education, networking, and product discovery specifically tailored to hygiene professionals. The event attracts attendees from across the country looking to sharpen their clinical and patient-care skills.
Why attend:
Hygiene-focused CE courses
Product demonstrations
Clinical best practices
Team development opportunities
5. National Dental Association Annual Convention
Dates: July 16–19, 2026
Location: Richmond, Virginia
The National Dental Association's annual convention brings together dental professionals from across the country for education, leadership development, advocacy discussions, and networking opportunities.
Why attend:
Leadership and advocacy programming
Professional development
Community engagement
Diverse networking opportunities
6. AADOM Dental Management Conference
Dates: September 3–5, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida
While technically at the end of summer, the AADOM Conference deserves a spot on every practice leader's radar.
This event is designed specifically for dental office managers, practice administrators, and operational leaders. Sessions focus on team management, patient communication, scheduling, systems, and practice growth.
Why attend:
Leadership training
Front office best practices
Revenue growth strategies
Operational efficiency improvements
How to Choose the Right Dental Event
Not every conference is right for every practice.
Before booking flights and hotels, ask yourself:
Are You Looking for CE Credits?
Events like AGD2026 and the Florida Dental Convention offer extensive continuing education opportunities.
Are You Focused on Practice Growth?
Management-focused events like the Dykema DSO Conference and AADOM Conference may provide greater value.
Do You Want to Explore New Technology?
Large exhibit halls often provide early access to emerging dental technologies, software platforms, and patient engagement tools.
Are You Bringing Your Team?
Some conferences are designed for entire dental teams, while others are geared toward specific roles or specialties.
How to Get the Most Out of a Dental Conference
The most successful attendees don't simply show up—they arrive with a plan.
To maximize your investment:
Review the agenda in advance
Schedule vendor meetings ahead of time
Attend networking events
Take detailed notes
Identify a few actionable ideas to implement immediately
Share key takeaways with your team after the event
Even one new workflow, technology solution, or patient experience improvement can generate a meaningful return on your conference investment.
The Future of Dentistry Is About Experience
One theme continues to emerge across nearly every major dental conference: patient experience matters more than ever.
Today's patients expect convenience, responsiveness, transparency, and exceptional service throughout every interaction with a practice.
That's why many dental leaders are investing not only in clinical technology but also in communication tools that help create a better patient journey. From the first phone call to post-treatment follow-up, every touchpoint influences patient satisfaction and retention.
Solutions like Annie help practices extend that experience beyond the walls of the office, ensuring every patient inquiry is handled with the same professionalism and care that patients expect in person.
Our Final Thoughts
Summer 2026 offers no shortage of opportunities for dental professionals to learn, network, and grow.
Whether you're interested in clinical education, practice management, leadership development, or emerging technology, attending the right dental conference can provide ideas and connections that benefit your practice for years to come.
The most successful dental practices never stop learning. By investing in education, innovation, and the patient experience, you'll be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive dental landscape.
