List Of Dental Events In Colorado - 2026

Planning your continuing education calendar in Colorado means tracking at least four separate websites — the Colorado Dental Association, Metro Denver Dental Society, CODHA, and individual conference pages. There's no single place that shows the complete picture, and smaller events like the ALPINE hygiene conference or the CDA Lobby Day often get missed entirely.

This guide consolidates all 8 major dental events in Colorado 2026 into one place — from the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention in January to the ALPINE hygiene conference in November. For general dentists mapping out CE credits, hygienists planning professional development, or DSO executives evaluating Denver-area summits, every significant Colorado dental event this year is covered here. If you're also thinking about how to expand a dental practice in Colorado, understanding the professional development landscape is a strong starting point.

Key Takeaways

• There are 8 major dental events in Colorado 2026, from January through November
• The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) is the largest — thousands of dental professionals from across the US attend each year, making it one of the country's largest annual state dental conventions
• Colorado dentists and hygienists must complete 30 CE hours every 2-year license period (Colorado DORA)
• Events span clinical CE courses, statewide advocacy, a DSO investor summit, and hygiene-specific conferences — not every event offers CE credit
• The Dykema DSO Conference returns to Denver in July 2026 — the premier national event for dental service organizations
• ALPINE 2026 in Breckenridge is the only Colorado event in 2026 specifically designed around the registered dental hygienist community

Quick Reference: All 8 Colorado Dental Events in 2026

Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) — January 2026

Dates: January 22–24, 2026

Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202

Organizer: Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS)

CE Credits: ADA CERP Recognized Provider; AGD PACE approved for Fellowship/Mastership credits

The 118th Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is Colorado's largest dental event — drawing thousands of dental professionals from across the US to Denver's Colorado Convention Center each January. RMDC features 100+ in-person lectures and hands-on workshops, an exhibition hall with around 300 exhibitors, and dedicated networking receptions for attendees across all specialties.

Two specialty sub-events run alongside the main convention: the Colorado Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Business Luncheon (invite-only for active AAPD/CAPD members) and the Colorado Orthodontic Association Luncheon and Business Meeting (open to active COA members). RMDC is one of the largest state dental conventions in the United States.

Who should attend: General dentists, specialists, dental hygienists, dental office managers, DSO executives

Registration: Rocky Mountain Dental Convention website

Advancing Dental Practice Course — February 2026

Dates: February 5–7, 2026

Location: Beaver Creek, Colorado

Organizer: Kevin Patterson DDS, MD (CDA-listed course)

CE Credits: 9 CE credit hours

This three-day intensive course covers clinical decision making, patient safety, and professional responsibility — targeted at dentists who want to strengthen their clinical judgment while earning meaningful CE hours. The course is listed through the Colorado Dental Association and counts toward Colorado's 30-hour CE requirement.

The Beaver Creek setting makes it a popular option for dentists who want to combine CE hours with time away from the daily clinical grind. Registration details are available through the Colorado Dental Association events calendar.

Who should attend: General dentists seeking clinical CE hours; dentists early in practice looking to build structured decision-making frameworks

Dentists at the Capitol Lobby Day — February 20, Denver

Dates: February 20, 2026 (Arrive by 7:15 AM, dismissal by noon)

Location: Colorado State Capitol, Denver, CO

Organizer: Colorado Dental Association (CDA)

CE Credits: None

Dentists at the Capitol is the CDA's annual advocacy day — the direct forum for Colorado dentists to meet with state legislators on issues affecting dental patients and the profession. Attendees receive briefings on current legislative priorities before holding scheduled meetings with their elected representatives.

This event does not offer CE credit hours. It does connect Colorado dental professionals to the policy decisions that shape their regulatory environment — including dental Medicaid reimbursement, scope of practice, and dental therapy. For practice owners who want visibility into how Colorado health policy develops, this is the most direct access point available.

Who should attend: Dentists interested in dental policy, CDA members, practice owners affected by Colorado legislative changes

More info: Colorado Dental Association events calendar at cdaonline.org/events

CDA Foundation Breakfast for Dinner — March 5, Denver

Dates: March 5, 2026, 6:30–9:00 PM

Location: Denver, CO (final venue listed at cdaonline.org)

Organizer: Colorado Dental Association Foundation

CE Credits: None

The CDA Foundation's annual fundraising gala supports the CDA Foundation Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to students at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. This is primarily a networking and philanthropic event — but it brings together Colorado dental professionals across disciplines in an informal setting that larger clinical conferences don't replicate.

For dentists who want to support the pipeline of Colorado dental graduates and build relationships outside formal CE environments, this evening event is worth the time. Final venue details are updated on the CDA events page.

Who should attend: CDA members, dental faculty, dental students, dental industry professionals

More info: Colorado Dental Association events calendar at cdaonline.org/events

MDDS CE Courses: Botulinum Toxins & TMJ Therapy — April 2026

Dates: April 17–18, 2026, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Location: Denver, CO

Organizer: Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS)

CE Credits: Applicable toward Colorado CE requirements

The MDDS April CE series covers two in-demand clinical areas across two consecutive days:

• Day 1 — Botulinum Toxins & Dermal Fillers Level 1: Hands-on introduction to aesthetic BoTox and filler procedures for general dentists looking to expand their service offerings
• Day 2 — Frontline TMJ & Facial Pain Therapy Level 1: Practical clinical training for identifying and treating temporomandibular joint disorders and orofacial pain

Both courses are designed for general dentists who want to add clinical scope without pursuing a full specialty track. They qualify toward Colorado's 30-hour continuing education requirement.

Who should attend: General dentists interested in aesthetic dentistry or orofacial pain management

More info: MDDS event list at mddsdentist.com

CDA Annual Meeting — House of Delegates 2026

Dates: May 2, 2026 (one-day meeting)

Location: Hotel Polaris, 8989 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Organizer: Colorado Dental Association (CDA)

CE Credits: None (governance meeting)

The CDA Annual Meeting is the Colorado Dental Association's statewide governance event. The House of Delegates elects CDA officers and selects ADA Delegates and Alternate Delegates for national representation. Attendees vote on CDA policy positions and statewide professional priorities.

This event is specifically for CDA members who want a say in how the organization is governed and how Colorado dentistry is represented at the national ADA level. Hotel Polaris offers a reduced rate of $229/night (plus resort fee) for attendees (CDA Annual Session). For questions about the meeting, contact Becky O'Guin at 303-996-2846 or [email protected].

Who should attend: CDA member dentists, especially those interested in organized dentistry leadership

More info: Colorado Dental Association events calendar at cdaonline.org/events

Dykema DSO Conference 2026 — July 15–17, Denver

Dates: July 15–17, 2026

Location: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Denver, CO

Organizer: Dykema (13th annual)

CE Credits: Not applicable (business/investment summit)

The Dykema DSO Conference is the premier national event for dental service organizations — bringing together DSO owners, executives, private equity investors, lenders, financial advisors, and dental industry vendors under one roof. The 2026 edition returns to Denver, making it one of the most significant dental industry events in Colorado this year.

The agenda includes main stage keynotes, breakout workshops, networking receptions, a Thursday night party, an exhibition floor, and a headshot studio. For dentists exploring DSO affiliation, executives at dental service organizations in Colorado, or technology vendors tracking how the Denver group practice market has evolved, Dykema puts the full dental industry decision-making community in one place. For practice owners and operators thinking through DSO call center strategy and operational infrastructure, Dykema is the right room to benchmark where the industry is heading.

Who should attend: DSO owners and executives, dentists exploring group practice models, private equity investors, dental technology vendors

Registration: Dykema DSO Conference

ALPINE 2026 — Colorado Dental Hygienists Conference

Dates: November 13–14, 2026

Location: Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge, CO

Organizer: Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association (CODHA)

CE Credits: Yes — RDH-focused continuing education

ALPINE is CODHA's flagship annual conference and Colorado's premier continuing education event for registered dental hygienists. Held each November at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, the two-day conference combines formal CE sessions with professional networking in a mountain resort setting that encourages attendance from across the state.

For Colorado's licensed dental hygienists, ALPINE is the most relevant state-level event on the 2026 calendar — offering CE credit hours toward the 30-hour requirement alongside connections with peers, vendors, and the state association. Dental hygiene students also attend. No other Colorado dental event in 2026 is specifically designed around the RDH professional community.

Who should attend: Registered Dental Hygienists (RDHs), dental hygiene students, dental practice teams

Registration: CODHA ALPINE 2026 event page

Colorado Dental CE Requirements at a Glance

Colorado requires all licensed dental professionals to complete 30 CE hours per 2-year license period. Here's a summary of what you need before planning your conference calendar:

Approved CE providers in Colorado include: ADA CERP recognized providers, AGD PACE-approved programs, AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, and CODA-accredited institutions. Keep copies of CE certificates for at least two full license periods after completion.

Source: Colorado dental CE requirements — Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) at dpo.colorado.gov/Dental/CE

Which Colorado Dental Event Is Right for You?

The right Colorado dental event in 2026 depends on your role: RMDC for broad CE, ALPINE for hygienists, Dykema for DSO executives, and CDA events for advocacy. Not every event serves the same audience. Here's how to match your professional role to the right conference:

• General dentists building CE hours: RMDC in January is the most efficient — 100+ lectures, hands-on workshops, and three days of credits in a single trip to Denver. The MDDS CE courses in April add specialty scope (BoTox and TMJ) if you want to expand your service menu without a full specialty track.
• Registered dental hygienists: ALPINE in Breckenridge in November is the only Colorado event designed specifically around the RDH community — CE sessions, vendor connections, and CODHA networking in one place. No other 2026 Colorado event is built for hygienists the way ALPINE is.
• DSO owners and executives: The Dykema DSO Conference in Denver in July is where the national DSO investment and executive community meets. If you're raising capital, evaluating acquisitions, or benchmarking your group's growth model against peers, this is the right room.
• Practice owners engaged in Colorado dental policy: Dentists at the Capitol (February 20) is the only direct forum for meeting state legislators on scope of practice, Medicaid reimbursement, and dental therapy policy — issues that directly affect your practice economics.
• CDA members in organized dentistry leadership: The CDA Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs (May 2) is where officers are elected and national ADA representation is decided for Colorado.

If you only attend one event in 2026, RMDC is the default choice for most Colorado dental professionals — it's the largest, the most broadly accessible, and offers the widest range of CE credit options in a single event.

How to Make the Most of Dental Events in Colorado 2026

Attending dental events is one of the most effective ways to earn CE credits, stay current on clinical techniques, and build the professional relationships that sustain a practice long-term. Colorado's licensed dental professionals have a strong local calendar in 2026 — from a national DSO summit in Denver to a hygiene retreat in Breckenridge.

But the value of conference attendance extends beyond the event itself. For practices thinking about dental clinic revenue in Colorado and how to protect it, there's a practical consideration that often goes unaddressed: when the team is at a conference, phone coverage drops. Patients calling to schedule appointments, ask post-op questions, or request prescription refills hit voicemail instead of a live answer — and many don't call back.

Practices that have invested in AI tools for dentists have found a direct solution: an AI receptionist that handles patient calls 24/7 without any dip in coverage during conference weeks. Arini integrates directly with practice management software — OpenDental, EagleSoft, Denticon, and more — to book appointments, collect patient information, and handle common inquiries even when the front desk is out. It's one of the more practical ways to convert missed calls to booked appointments instead of losing them to voicemail. Patients experience natural, conversational interactions — most don't realize they're speaking with an AI receptionist, and Arini is designed to keep it that way.

Unified Dental Care saw a 12% revenue increase after implementing Arini. Kare Mobile captured $56K in new patient appointments in their first month. For practices learning about AI receptionists vs dental call centers and evaluating options, Arini's 300ms response latency and HIPAA-compliant infrastructure make it purpose-built for dental — not a generic voice AI adapted for the use case.

Book a Demo to see how Arini means your practice never misses a call again — whether your team is at RMDC, Dykema, ALPINE, or any other 2026 conference.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Events in Colorado 2026

When is the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention 2026?

The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) 2026 took place January 22–24 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, drawing thousands of dental professionals from across the US. RMDC is organized by the Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS) and is Colorado's largest annual dental event. It is an ADA CERP recognized provider and AGD PACE approved for Fellowship/Mastership credits.

How many CE hours do dentists need in Colorado?

Colorado requires dentists to complete 30 continuing education hours every two-year license period, with BLS training counting for a maximum of 2 of those hours. Approved providers include ADA CERP, AGD PACE, AMA PRA Category 1, and CODA-accredited institutions. Documentation of CE completion must be kept for at least two full license periods.

What is the Colorado Dental Association annual meeting?

The CDA Annual Meeting — House of Delegates — is the Colorado Dental Association's annual statewide governance event, held May 2, 2026 at Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs. The House of Delegates elects CDA officers and selects ADA Delegates and Alternate Delegates for national representation. The annual meeting does not offer CE credits — it is a governance event for active CDA members.

Are there dental hygiene conferences in Colorado in 2026?

Yes — ALPINE 2026 runs November 13–14 at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, organized by the Colorado Dental Hygienists' Association (CODHA) and built specifically for registered dental hygienists. ALPINE is Colorado's premier CE event specifically for registered dental hygienists and is CODHA's flagship annual conference, offering continuing education credit hours toward Colorado's 30-hour requirement.

What DSO events are happening in Denver in 2026?

The Dykema DSO Conference 2026 takes place July 15–17 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Denver — the premier national summit for DSO owners, executives, and investors. Now in its 13th year, Dykema is one of the most significant dental industry events in Colorado in 2026.

Is the RMDC the biggest dental conference in Colorado?

Yes — RMDC draws thousands of dental professionals from across the US each January, making it the largest dental conference in Colorado and one of the largest state dental conventions in the United States. It is also the only Colorado dental event in 2026 that offers both ADA CERP and AGD PACE Fellowship/Mastership credit.

What dental events in Colorado 2026 offer CE credits?

Four Colorado dental events in 2026 offer CE credits: RMDC in January (ADA CERP and AGD PACE approved), the Advancing Dental Practice Course in Beaver Creek in February (9 CE hours), and the MDDS CE courses in Denver in April. ALPINE 2026 in Breckenridge in November also offers RDH-focused CE. The CDA Annual Meeting and Dentists at the Capitol Lobby Day do not offer CE credits.

For a complete listing of Colorado dental events, visit the Colorado Dental Association events calendar at cdaonline.org/events and the MDDS event list at mddsdentist.com. Dental professionals looking to start a dental clinic in Colorado will also find the CDA's resources useful for orientation to the state's professional associations.

Book a Demo to learn how Arini's AI receptionist keeps your dental practice running at full capacity — during conference season and every other week of the year.