Note for readers: We’ve refreshed this article with the latest 2026 dental trade shows and events to help you plan ahead.
Why are Dental Conferences and Trade Shows Important?
Searching for the list of the upcoming Dental Conferences and Trade Shows for 2026? You’re at the right place! These expos are popular, and many professionals from the dental industry are interested.
Being updated about your business field can bring various benefits to your company. Conferences and trade shows are often great places for industry experts to network and hear other professionals speak about relevant topics.
Usually, expos cover employee management, innovation, company management, safety, and similar subjects. So, you could find some beneficial resources for your dental company.
We created the list of trending and upcoming dental conferences in 2026 to make it easier for you. Also, if you see AvaHR at some of these expos, don’t forget to come to say hi and pick up some nice swag! 🙂
⚠️Disclaimer: This list is for informational purposes only. Event details, including dates and locations, may change, so be sure to visit each expo’s official website for the most up-to-date information before making travel or registration plans.
Dental Conferences and Trade Shows in 2026
📅 January 14 – 16, 2026
📍 Honolulu, Hawai
Kick off the year in a relaxed, high-value setting. This three-day convention from the Hawaii Dental Association combines continuing education sessions, an exhibit hall packed with new equipment and products, and plenty of opportunities for team alignment.
Why it matters:
If you’re looking to set a positive tone for the year ahead – refining workflows, building team cohesion, and giving everyone a fresh start – this event blends substance with scenery.
📅 January 29 – 31, 2026
📍 Boston, Massachusetts
A long-standing favorite in the dental calendar, Yankee Dental brings together professionals from across the region (and beyond) for high-quality continuing education, a massive exhibit floor, and plenty of networking.
Why it matters:
If your practice is focused on refining workflows, recruiting, or scaling your team, this event offers fresh ideas and operational insights – ideal for setting direction early in the year.
📅 February 19 – 21, 2026
📍 Chicago, Illinois
A three-day gathering that blends education, workshops, and one of the largest dental exhibitions in the country. It’s a strong mix of learning and practical innovation for the entire practice team.
Why it matters:
Perfect if you’re working on efficiency, team roles, recruitment, or introducing new technology. You’ll get a broad view of what top-performing practices are doing – and how you can adapt.
📅 March 25 – 28, 2026
📍 San Diego, California
This joint session by the International, American, and Canadian Associations for Dental Research focuses on research, materials, and innovation. It’s more academically oriented, but practice leaders can gain early insight into emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of dentistry.
Why it matters:
If you’re planning for the future – new materials, workflow changes, or investments – this event helps you think ahead, not just about today’s operations.
📅 May 14 – 16, 2026
📍 Anaheim, California
Hosted by the California Dental Association, this convention features hundreds of courses and a large exhibit floor. It’s a staple for teams focused on growth, structure, and adopting new operational models.
Why it matters:
Ideal if your practice is expanding, hiring, or refining systems for the future. You’ll find content for both clinical and non-clinical leaders, plus plenty of exposure to new tools and services.
📅 May 28 – 30, 2026
📍 Seattle, Washington
A strong regional event from the Washington State Dental Association, PNDC delivers excellent continuing education for both clinical and business teams. It’s smaller in scale than national shows but rich in content and easier for full-team participation.
Why it matters:
A great option for practices that want quality training without the cost or complexity of a national trip.
📅 Tentatively October 8 – 10, 2026
📍 Indianapolis, Indiana
Organised by the American Dental Association, this event dives into workforce, compliance, and big-picture practice management topics.
Why it matters:
For practice leaders looking for strategic insight – policy, workforce trends, or future-facing direction – this is a must-attend.
📅 November 27 – December 1
📍 New York City, New York
One of the largest dental conferences in the U.S., featuring an extensive exhibit hall, multiple education tracks, and a global audience.
Why it matters:
If your practice is scaling, exploring multi-site operations, or building leadership structure, this event offers unmatched exposure and perspective.
Tips to Make Most of Dental Conferences and Trade Shows
| |
| Preparing some questions before an expo attendance can come in handy. This way, you have time to decide what answers you would like to get during the conference. Simply create a list of dental industry-related topics and mention them during meetings and Q&A sessions. |
Download a Conference App | Having a conference app by your side during expos can be really helpful. Of course, not every conference provides an app, but be sure to check out if there are some available. These apps can help you keep track of the events, even some after-parties! Always download an app before the trade show. This way, you could avoid potentially not-so-good conference WiFi. |
| Social networks are part of people's daily lives, so it's no wonder they can come in handy during expos. Twitter can be a great source of trade show news and updates. Plus, everything is well-organized under handy hashtags. |
| Connecting with industry-related peers can help you enrich your experience during a conference. So, if you have a chance, schedule one-on-one meetings and share ideas with other dental professionals! |
| Pre-conferences let you discover some talented newcomers and get various beneficial insights into numerous topics. Even though more experienced speakers show up later during expos, don't neglect the potential of pre-conference shows. |
How to Experience More Efficient Attendance?
Have a Goal and Strategy
Lots of professionals coming to trade shows usually want to experience efficient attendance. So, here are two questions you might want to ask yourself before attending the expo.
- Why did you want to come to the dental conference?
- What goals do you wish to achieve during the dental trade show?
Having answers to these and similar questions might help you create some kind of conference plan. Are there any business pain points you wish to solve? Think of the topics you find beneficial for your business!
Set Up Meeting Before the Conference
If you plan to go through some dental industry-related topics, that’s good! Discover ways to schedule meetings before the actual event and connect with other dental experts. This could help you enrich your trade show attendance.
Balance Your Time
Your time is valuable, so it’s good to keep it balanced. How do you achieve this? Simply list down activities you would like to try out during trade shows. Here are some activity examples you might consider.
- Discovering vendors from your pre-made list
- Going to practical gatherings and seminars
- Checking out what a conference has to offer
The first expo day can be hectic. So if you want to experience less busy hours, visit a conference during the second day. You should bump into a slow-paced environment.
Reconnect
Dental conferences and trade shows offer you an opportunity to network with other experts from your field. So, make the most of these events and connect with people. Share ideas and experiences, enjoy small talk, and you just might see new collaborations on the horizon!
Types of Dental Conferences Content
During your dental trade show attendance, you might hear about similar topics like the following.
- Dental Marketing and Practice Management
- Orthodontics
- Restorative Dentistry
- Dental Management
- Dental Instruments
The topics you might encounter during dental conferences might help you resolve business pain points and discover new trends within the dental industry.
More Conferences and Trade Shows for 2026
