Florida Dental Convention 2026: The FDA's Flagship Annual Meeting in Orlando

The Florida Dental Convention is the annual meeting of the Florida Dental Association — the Sunshine State's largest dental event. The 2026 edition brings together 7,000+ dental professionals, 350+ vendors, and 150+ CE courses at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando for three days of education, technology exhibitions, and networking.

FDC 2026 At a Glance

Dates	June 25-27, 2026 (Thursday–Saturday)
Location	Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee/Orlando, FL
Attendance	7,000+ dental professionals
Exhibitors	350+ vendors
CE Courses	150+ courses, up to 20 CE credit hours
Registration	Register at floridadental.org (opened March 1)
Website	floridadental.org/convention
Organized by	Florida Dental Association

What Makes FDC Unique

Florida is one of the fastest-growing dental markets in the United States, with a large and diverse patient population, a high concentration of DSOs, and year-round demand driven by the state's retirement and tourism demographics. The Florida Dental Convention captures this market in one event — from solo practitioners in Jacksonville to multi-location groups in Miami and Tampa. With 350+ vendors on the exhibit floor, it is one of the largest dental technology showcases in the Southeast.

FDC is also distinctive for its setting. Holding the convention at the Gaylord Palms — a self-contained resort under a glass atrium — makes it one of the few major dental meetings designed to be attended with family. Many Florida practices treat FDC as a working trip the whole team and household can share, which lifts attendance and keeps team CE participation high.

Florida Dental Convention 2026 Schedule

FDC runs on a steady three-day rhythm, Thursday through Saturday. Knowing the shape of each day helps you slot CE courses around exhibit hall time:

• Thursday, June 25 — Opening day. The exhibit hall opens and the first wave of lecture courses and hands-on workshops begins. Pick up your badge early to avoid lines.
• Friday, June 26 — The peak day. Full course programming, the busiest exhibit hall hours, and most limited-enrollment workshops. Schedule technology demos and vendor meetings for Friday.
• Saturday, June 27 — Closing day. Courses run through the morning and early afternoon; the exhibit hall closes earlier. Best day for follow-up exhibitor conversations.

Because every CE course — including free ones — requires advance registration on a first-come, first-paid basis, build your schedule as soon as registration opens. The live session catalog is published at floridadental.org/convention.

Key Topics & Industry Drivers at FDC 2026

FDC's course catalog and exhibit floor track the pressures Florida practices face right now:

• Front office automation — voice AI receptionists, automated recall, and insurance verification, driven by a statewide front-desk staffing shortage that hits independent practices hardest.
• DSO-scale operations — centralized scheduling and multi-location workflow management for the dense DSO presence across Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.
• Serving a multilingual patient base — patient communication tools that handle Spanish and Haitian Creole, reflecting Florida's demographics.
• Digital workflows — intraoral scanning, same-day restorations, and 3D-printed appliances continuing to move chairside.
• Practice transitions and growth — buy-ins, associateships, and acquisitions in one of the country's most active dental M&A markets.

Education & CE Credits

FDC 2026 offers 150+ continuing education courses with up to 20 CE credit hours available:

• Clinical courses — restorative, implant, endodontic, periodontic, and pediatric dentistry
• Practice management — staffing, technology adoption, patient communication, revenue optimization
• Hands-on workshops — limited enrollment, equipment-provided skill sessions
• Team-based courses — sessions designed for the entire dental team (hygienists, assistants, office managers)

All CE courses require advance registration (including free courses) on a first-come, first-paid basis. Browse sessions by topic, speaker, or date at floridadental.org/convention/education.

How to Register for FDC 2026

Registration runs through floridadental.org. Florida Dental Association members register at a discounted rate; non-members and out-of-state attendees pay standard pricing, and student and dental-team rates are available. The most important thing to know about FDC registration is that it is two steps: you register to attend, then you register for each individual CE course — including the free ones — because seats are first-come, first-paid. Workshop seats and the most popular lecture courses fill before the convention opens, so register and build your course schedule the same day. On-site registration is available but limits your course options. Out-of-state dentists are welcome; confirm CE reciprocity with your own state board.

Exhibit Hall

The FDC exhibit hall features 350+ vendors showcasing:

• AI receptionist and front desk automation solutions
• Practice management software (Dentrix, EagleSoft, OpenDental integrations)
• Digital imaging, CAD/CAM, and intraoral scanning technology
• Dental materials, instruments, and equipment
• Patient communication and engagement platforms
• Financial services, insurance, and practice lending

Practical Details

• Venue: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
• Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO) — 20 minutes from venue
• Hotels: On-site at Gaylord Palms or nearby hotels along I-4 corridor
• Who can attend: Dentists, hygienists, students, dental business owners, and anyone employed in the dental business

Bringing the Team — and the Family — to Orlando

FDC's Gaylord Palms setting makes it practical to bring both your team and your family. For the practice, sending hygienists, assistants, and front office staff to team-focused CE pays back directly: the front desk and clinical team return with shared language for the workflows you want to adopt. For the household, the resort's atrium pools, on-site dining, and proximity to Orlando's theme parks turn a CE obligation into a summer trip. That family-friendly design is a real reason FDC sustains 7,000+ attendance in late June — and a reason to book your on-site or I-4 corridor hotel rooms early, before the convention block sells out.

What FDC Offers Solo and Small-Group Practices

For solo and small-group owners, FDC compresses a year of technology research into three days on the exhibit floor. Instead of fielding scattered vendor calls, an owner-dentist can compare AI front office tools, practice management systems, and imaging hardware side by side and negotiate convention pricing in person. The practice management track speaks directly to this audience — staffing shortages, no-show reduction, scheduling, and AI adoption are the recurring themes. For independents competing with DSO-backed offices that already run centralized, around-the-clock call coverage, the front-office automation on display is the most direct way to match that capacity without expanding payroll.

While You're at FDC, Who's Answering Your Phones?

Three days in Orlando means three days your practice phones go to voicemail — unless you have AI covering them. Florida dental practices miss 30-38% of calls on normal business days. During a conference, that rate climbs as key staff attend sessions and walk the exhibit hall.

An AI receptionist answers every call 24/7, books appointments directly into your PMS, handles patient questions, and sends you a summary — all while you're earning CE credits at the Gaylord Palms. Set it up before FDC and your practice keeps booking while you're away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does FDC 2026 registration cost?

Registration fees vary by attendee type (dentist, hygienist, assistant, student) and FDA membership status. FDA members receive discounted registration. Check floridadental.org/registration for current pricing. All CE courses require advance registration including free courses.

How many CE credits can I earn at FDC?

FDC offers up to 20 CE credit hours across 150+ courses. Course options include lectures, hands-on workshops, and team-based sessions. CE requirements differ by state — Florida dentists should verify their Board of Dentistry requirements before selecting courses.

Is FDC worth attending for dental technology evaluation?

Yes — with 350+ vendors on the exhibit floor, FDC is one of the largest dental technology showcases in the Southeast. You can see demos of AI receptionists, practice management software, digital imaging, and patient communication platforms from multiple vendors in one location. The practice management CE track also covers technology adoption and implementation strategies.

When and where is the Florida Dental Convention 2026?

FDC 2026 runs Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746 — about 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

Do CE courses cost extra beyond registration?

Some do. Lecture courses are often included with registration, while hands-on workshops and certain ticketed sessions carry an additional fee. Every course — free or paid — requires advance registration on a first-come, first-paid basis, so reserve seats as soon as registration opens.

Can I bring my family to FDC?

Yes. FDC is held at the Gaylord Palms resort and is one of the more family-friendly major dental conventions, with on-site pools, dining, and proximity to Orlando attractions. Many practices treat it as a combined CE trip and family vacation. Book hotel rooms in the convention block early.

What should a first-time FDC attendee plan for?

Register and pick your CE courses the same day, since seats are first-come, first-paid. Stay on-site at the Gaylord Palms or along the I-4 corridor to cut commute time. Plan Friday for the exhibit hall and vendor demos when product teams are fully staffed, and leave Saturday for follow-up conversations. Bring business cards for exhibitor drawings, and decide before you leave home how your practice phones will be covered for three days.