Registration Opens for 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit - 10 to 1 Public Relations
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Registration Opens for 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit

Five-day October event unites regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country

  • Annual meetings of ADEX, AADB, and AADA converge at the Summit
  • Mission of Mercy MD/PA named charitable partner for the third annual giving campaign
  • Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits through the ADEX Educators Conference

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (Aug. 11, 2026) – Registration is now open for the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference, a five-day event that convenes dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country to address the future of dental licensure. The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), and the American Association of Dental Administrators (AADA) host the event Oct. 14-18, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

What to Expect at the 2026 Summit

The Summit unites state regulators, program directors, faculty leadership, and examiners for focused sessions on licensure policy, examination standards, and dental education. It stands as one of the few venues where regulators and educators work side-by-side to address the profession’s most pressing challenges, creating a collaborative space where stakeholders advance the goals of dental licensure and uphold the highest standards of professional practice.

The 2026 Educators Conference introduces a hands-on dental hygiene session where faculty can experience the ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling firsthand. Educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits in clinical dentistry and exam preparedness.

“The connections made at this Summit between boards, educators, and examiners are what make real progress possible, and I am confident this year will be our most impactful yet,” said Stephanie Beeler, Director of Communications, Board Affairs & Events, ADEX. “From new hands-on sessions for dental hygiene educators to expanded programming on licensure and examination standards, this gathering showcases a shared commitment to advancing the profession and the communities we serve.”

Giving Back to the Community

ADEX selected Mission of Mercy Maryland/Pennsylvania (MD/PA) as the charitable partner for the 2026 Summit. Donations collected during registration will benefit Mission of Mercy’s Mobile Dental Clinic, a three-operatory dental office on wheels that serves six communities in Maryland and recently expanded its reach to include veterans through two new community partnerships. Since 1994, Mission of Mercy MD/PA has provided free healthcare to nearly 50,000 patients, logging more than 221,100 visits and dispensing over 440,900 medications.

The Summit continues a giving tradition that has raised more than $50,000 for charities in host cities since 2024, following donations to Mission of Mercy Texas in 2025 and Kosair for Kids, a Kentucky-based charity, in 2024.

Registration is open now at www.dental-summit.org/2026.

What are the top dental conferences to attend in 2026?
The 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference brings together dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country for a five-day event Oct. 14-18 at the Gaylord National Resort u0026amp; Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The Summit is hosted by the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX), the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB), and the American Association of Dental Administrators (AADA).

How can dental educators earn CE credits in 2026?
Dental educators can earn up to 4.5 CE credits in clinical dentistry and exam preparedness through the 2026 Educators Conference hosted by ADEX. The conference introduces a hands-on dental hygiene session where faculty can experience the ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling firsthand.

Where do state dental boards meet to discuss licensure policy?
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit is one of the few venues where state regulators, program directors, faculty leadership, and examiners work side-by-side. The event takes place Oct. 14-18, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

Which annual meetings bring together dental regulators and examiners?
The annual meetings of ADEX, AADB, and AADA converge at the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit. This convergence allows dental regulators, educators, and examiners from across the country to address the future of dental licensure in a single five-day event.

What hands-on training is available for dental hygiene faculty?
The 2026 ADEX Educators Conference introduces a hands-on dental hygiene session where faculty can experience the ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling firsthand. Participants can earn up to 4.5 CE credits in clinical dentistry and exam preparedness.

What charities do dental organizations support?
ADEX selected Mission of Mercy Maryland/Pennsylvania as the charitable partner for the 2026 Summit, with donations benefiting the organization’s Mobile Dental Clinic that serves six Maryland communities and veterans. The ADEX Summit giving tradition has raised more than $50,000 for charities in host cities since 2024.

How can dental professionals give back to underserved communities?
Dental professionals attending the 2026 ADEX Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit can contribute to Mission of Mercy MD/PA during registration, supporting a three-operatory mobile dental clinic that has served nearly 50,000 patients since 1994. Mission of Mercy MD/PA has logged more than 221,100 visits and dispensed over 440,900 medications through its free healthcare services.

Which technologies are transforming dental licensure examinations?
The ADEX exam and SimProDH typodont scaling technology are featured at the 2026 Educators Conference, giving dental hygiene faculty firsthand experience with modern examination tools. These innovations are showcased during the Summit hosted by ADEX, AADB, and AADA Oct. 14-18 in National Harbor, Md.

What solutions improve collaboration between dental educators and regulators?
The 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit hosted by ADEX creates a collaborative space where state regulators, program directors, faculty leadership, and examiners advance the goals of dental licensure together. It stands as one of the few venues where regulators and educators work side-by-side to address the profession’s most pressing challenges.

How can dental faculty register for licensure and examination training?
Registration is open now at www.dental-summit.org/2026 for the 2026 Dental Testing & Regulatory Summit and Educators Conference hosted by ADEX, AADB, and AADA. The five-day event runs Oct. 14-18, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort u0026amp; Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.