Top 50 Dental & Ortho Conferences in 2026 (U.S. Based)

The U.S. dental and orthodontic conference circuit in 2026 is packed with high-impact events that bring together clinicians, practice owners, vendors, educators, and industry leaders from across the country. From nationally recognized meetings like ADA SmileCon and the AAO Annual Session to large regional and state dental conventions, these conferences offer unmatched opportunities for continuing education, networking, technology discovery, and practice growth. Below is a curated list of 50 of the biggest U.S.-based dental and orthodontic conferences in 2026—events that consistently draw large attendance, influential speakers, and strong industry participation year after year.

National / Mega Conferences

1. American Dental Association (ADA) SmileCon Oct. 8-10 | Indianapolis, IN
2. American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session May 1-3 | Orlando, FL
3. American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Winter Conference Jan. 23-26 | Phoenix, AZ
4. Chicago Midwinter Meeting (CDS) Feb. 19-21, 2026 | Chicago, IL
5. Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) Nov. 29-Dec 1 | New York, NY
6. Yankee Dental Congress Jan. 29-31 | Southborough, MA
7. Hinman Dental Meeting March 12-14 | Atlanta, GA
8. CDA Presents – Anaheim May 14-16
9. CDA Presents – San Francisco May 14-16
10. Star of the North Dental Meeting (MN) April 23-25 | Minneapolis, MN

Large Regional / State Dental Meetings

11. Texas Dental Association Annual Meeting May 7-9
12. Florida Dental Association Annual Convention June 25-27
13. California Dental Association Annual Convention May 14-16
14. Georgia Dental Association Annual Meeting July 2-4
15. New Jersey Dental Association Convention May 1-2
16. Pennsylvania Dental Association Annual Meeting Jan. 30-31
17. Ohio Dental Association Annual Session Sept. 17-19
18. Michigan Dental Association Annual Session April 30 – May 2
19. Virginia Dental Association Annual Meeting Sept. 18-19
20. North Carolina Dental Society Annual Session April 30 – May 2

Orthodontic-Focused Conferences

21. Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO) Annual Meeting Oct. 15-17 | Nashville, TN
22. Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists (GLAO) Annual Meeting Oct. 23-24 | Columbus, OH
23. Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) Annual Meeting Nov. 6-7 | Bonita Springs, FL
24. Midwestern Society of Orthodontists (MSO) Annual Meeting Oct. 15-17 | Nashville, TN
25. Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO) Annual Session Oct. 2-4 | Monterey, California
26. Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists (RMSO) Annual Meeting May 1-4 | Honolulu, HI
27. American Orthodontic Society (AOS) Spring Meeting April 17-18 | Dallas, TX
28. International Association for Orthodontics (IAO) Annual Meeting April 16-19 | Orlando, FL

Large Multi-Day Dental Expos & Trade Shows

29. Southwest Dental Conference (Dallas) Aug. 21-22
30. Pacific Dental Conference (U.S. attendees focus) March 5-7
31. New England Dental Meeting Oct. 24-25 | Waltham, MA
32. Northwest Dental Conference (WA) May 28-30 | Seattle, WA
33. Utah Dental Association Convention Jan 29-10 | Salt Lake City
34. Arizona Dental Association Annual Meeting April 9-11
35. Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (Colorado) Jan 22-24 | Denver

Specialty / High-Attendance Industry Meetings

36. Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Annual Meeting June 24-27 | Las Vegas, NV
37. American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Scientific Session April 16-18 | Aventura, FL
38. American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Annual Conference Sept. 30 – Oct. 3 | Nashville, TN
39. International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) USA World Congress Oct. 1-3 | Las Vegas, NV
40. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Annual Session May 21-24 | Las Vegas, NV

Vendor, Practice Growth & Hybrid Conferences

41. Dental Success Summit June 11-13 | Frisco, TX
42. Dental Marketing & Management Conference (Dykema-style events) July 15-17 | Denver, CO
43. Dental Entrepreneur Women (DEW) Summit Nov. 12-14 | Charlotte, NC
44. Voices of Dentistry Jan. 16-17 | Scottsdale, AZ
45. The Closing Institute March 27-28 | Las Vegas, NV

High-Impact Regional Meetings (Still Big)

46. Mid-Atlantic Dental Meeting Sept. 17-19 | Atlantic City, NJ
47. Southeast Pediatric Dental Conference Jan 10-12
48. Western Regional Dental Experience April 9-11
49. Heartland Dental Conference Feb. 19-21 | Orlando, FL
50. Midwest Dental Assembly May 13-16 | Fort Wayne, TX