When and where is the ADA 2026 Scientific Session?

October 8-10, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Ave, Indianapolis. Badge pickup opens on Wednesday, October 7 from 1-5 p.m. in the Crossroads Hallway, Level 1.

What does a pass cost?

Advanced pricing ended on September 28. Standard Conference Pass rates are $1,099 for ADA member dentists, $1,649 for nonmember dentists and $549 for dental team and other non-clinical attendees. An Exhibit Hall Only pass covers the exhibit hall, Fireside Chat and Happy Hour but no CE.

How many CE credits can I earn?

Up to 17 CE credits. Courses generally earn 1.0 credit per clock hour, and attendance is recorded when your badge is scanned at the course door.

Do I need to pre-register for courses?

Pre-registration is suggested for presentations and panels and required for hands-on workshops. Walk-ins are allowed if a course is not full.

Breakfast is served before the Thursday morning Fireside Chat. Other food and drink is not included but is available to buy in the exhibit hall and around the convention center.

ADA 2026 Scientific Session

Name: ADA 2026 Scientific Session
Start: 2026-10-08T07:45:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-10T13:30:00+00:00
Location: Indiana Convention Center

About this event

The ADA Scientific Session is the American Dental Association's national annual meeting, the event formerly branded SmileCon. The 2026 edition uses a new, tighter format built around dentist-first, evidence-based continuing education, with CE presentations, panels and hands-on workshops alongside an exhibit hall of dental products and services. It runs next to the Indiana Dental Association Center for Excellence program and ahead of the ADA House of Delegates.

Who attends

The meeting is aimed at dentists of every specialty, career stage and practice type, plus the dental team members who work with them.

General dentists and specialists
Early-career dentists (ADA members 1-5 years out of school get 50% off)
Dental team members and office staff
Dental and pre-dental students
International dentists
State and local dental society staff

Continuing education

Courses are peer reviewed, with specialty experts helping shape topics, and many draw on research published in JADA. Attendees can earn up to 17 CE credits, tracked by badge scans at each course door.

Oral cancer and radiography guidelines
Oral-systemic health: treating the whole patient
JADA research-based topics
Presentations and panels
Hands-on workshops (pre-registration required; all-access add-on available)

Fireside Chat and networking

The Science Into Practice Fireside Chat opens the meeting on Thursday morning, moderated by ADA New Dentist Committee Chair Kayla Klingensmith, D.M.D., and free to all pass holders. A Thursday Happy Hour runs in the exhibit hall and the Changemakers Celebration Reception follows on Friday evening.

Exhibit hall

Dental manufacturers and service providers show products, technology and practice solutions in an exhibit hall open all three days: Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (including Happy Hour), Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Tickets & passes

Conference Pass - ADA Member Dentist — USD 1,099: Standard rate (advanced $699 ended Sept 28). CE presentations and panels, exhibit hall, Fireside Chat, Happy Hour
Conference Pass - Nonmember Dentist — USD 1,649: Standard rate (advanced $1,049 ended Sept 28)
Conference Pass - Dental Team / Other — USD 549: Standard rate (advanced $349 ended Sept 28)
Hands-On Workshop All-Access Add-On — USD 1,350: Add to a Conference Pass for all live hands-on workshops (individual workshops $349)

ADA 2026 Scientific Session was a Healthcare event that took place 8-10 Oct 2026 at Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, United States.

Speakers7

Kayla Klingensmith, D.M.D.
General dentist, ADA New Dentist Committee Chair
Thomas Paumier, D.D.S.
Private practice general dentist; faculty, Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center; President-Elect of the ADA
Mark Lingen, D.D.S., Ph.D.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Wenyuan Shi, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer of the Forsyth Institute
J. Timothy T. Wright, D.D.S., M.S.
Professor, Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Richard Rosato, D.M.D.
ADA leader (opening remarks)
Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S.
ADA leader (opening remarks)