SmileCon is the American Dental Association's annual meeting. This event offers a range of opportunities, including continuing education, networking, interactions with exhibitors, social events, and leisure experiences. SmileCon 2023 will be held in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center from October 5th through the 7th. Registration for the event opened on June 7th on the smilecon.org website.
Applicable for dental professionals at every stage of their career and in various specialties, SmileCon attendees can expect a dynamic program that provides valuable insights and information to enhance their dental practice. The event offers a comprehensive platform for continuous learning, allowing professionals to stay up to date with the latest advances and trends in dentistry. Furthermore, SmileCon facilitates numerous networking opportunities, enabling attendees to connect with peers, industry experts, and potential collaborators.
Dental Central, located at SmileCon, serves as the heart of the event, offering a range of engaging activities and experiences. It goes beyond the typical exhibit hall by providing opportunities for experiential learning, product and tech demos, and intriguing surprises. Within Dental Central, the CE Zone’s dedicated hubs focus on a number of specific areas. The Wellness Hub enables attendees to explore different aspects of wellness, including physical, mental, and financial well-being. The Tech Hub offers an interactive experience where participants can discover the applications of artificial intelligence in dental offices, while the Oral Medicine Hub highlights the connection between oral health and overall well-being, even featuring an escape room experience. The Industry Hub provides exhibitor spotlights and insights from industry leaders, and the Podcast and Influencer Hub offers a glimpse into the world of dental podcasts and the chance to engage with influential thought leaders.
SmileCon also offers transformative continuing education (CE) opportunities that are designed to expand attendees’ knowledge and shape their dental practice in the present and the future. Through a variety of presentations, immersive learning experiences, and workshops, participants can acquire the CE credits they need while learning about new ideas and approaches in the industry. The event features a lineup of sought-after speakers renowned in the field of dental education. Speakers range from emerging voices to established specialists, thus enabling attendees to gain diverse insights and perspectives. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, SmileCon provides engaging workshops featuring interactive experiences.
Diverse activities are an essential part of the SmileCon experience. The Dental Olympics is a competition returning to SmileCon, featuring four new schools competing for bragging rights. In addition to the main CE offerings, SmileCon includes special highlights such as the Women in Dentistry Leadership Series, which challenges conventional thinking and promotes a fresh approach to dentistry. The event also features DENT Talks, sessions similar to TED Talks that aim to broaden attendees’ perspectives and generate new ideas. For a more casual and intimate setting, a Lunch C.H.A.T. allows participants to share a meal with their favorite speakers and colleagues, fostering informal discussions and connections.
Beyond education and networking, SmileCon also promises to be an enjoyable and engaging experience. Attendees can visit Universal Islands of Adventure on Thursday, Oct. 5th, attend Grin & Gobblin’ Fest on Friday, Oct. 6th, and join the closing party in Dental Central on Oct. 7th.
