The American Dental Association (ADA) has announced that its annual SmileCon event will be discontinued after its 2025 session, marking the end of the conference’s run. The final SmileCon will be held in October at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
According to the ADA, the decision was made after evaluating post-pandemic attendance trends and the increasing costs of hosting large-scale events. Although the conference experienced favorable attendee feedback and an uptick in repeat participants each year, the ADA said, overall attendance did not return to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“SmileCon has been much more than a professional conference; it’s been a showcase of the best dentistry has to offer. It's where new ideas have been shared and where the dental community has come together to shape the future of oral and overall health. From dental professionals and presenters to sponsors, exhibitors and vendors, everyone contributed to its legacy,” said ADA president Dr. Brett Kessler. “As we explore new ways of connecting and growing together, the ADA extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made SmileCon possible, including the host cities that welcomed us with open arms and warm hospitality.”
Over the years, the ADA’s annual meeting featured a range of high-profile speakers, including former U.S. presidents. In 2013, former President Bill Clinton addressed attendees in New Orleans, and in 2014 former President George W. Bush spoke to the ADA in San Antonio.
In 2021, the ADA rebranded its annual meeting as SmileCon, merging its traditional scientific session with additional programming and events to create a unified experience aimed at fostering community, innovation, and continuing education within the dental profession. That year, the meeting was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The reimagined SmileCon aimed to create a more inclusive and engaging experience for dental professionals by emphasizing community, innovation, and continuing education.
Registration for the final event, SmileCon 2025, to be held October 23 to 25 in the nation’s capital, opens on June 11.
SmileCon 2026, which had been scheduled for October 8 to 10, 2026, in Indianapolis, will no longer take place. The ADA is currently collaborating with the Indiana Dental Association and Visit Indy to identify future opportunities for professional engagement in the city, the ADA said.
The ADA’s House of Delegates, the association’s primary policy-making body, will continue its annual meetings, the ADA said. This year, it will convene following the final SmileCon in Washington, D.C., and next year it will meet in Indianapolis as previously planned, the ADA said.
Under the ADA’s Governance and Organizational Manual, the association is required to hold an annual scientific session. In place of SmileCon, the ADA is exploring new formats and programs aimed at advancing oral and overall health and keeping members informed on current scientific standards and technological developments, the association said. Details about future meetings will be released when available, the ADA said.
The ADA, established in 1859, represents 159,000 dentist members and remains a central source of scientific and clinical information in the field of dentistry.
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