List of Dental Events in Idaho - 2026

Idaho dental professionals need 30 CE credits every two years to keep their licenses current — and with a busy practice schedule, finding the right events takes more research than it should. This guide pulls together every confirmed dental event in Idaho for 2026, plus the top regional conferences within easy travel distance, so you can plan your CE calendar in one place.

Key Takeaways

• Idaho dentists and hygienists must each earn 30 CE credits per biennial renewal — planning your event calendar early ensures you hit the requirement without scrambling at year-end.
• The ISDA hosts two flagship events in 2026: the North Idaho Conference in March and the Annual Session in June at Boise Centre East (June 11–13, 2026).
• The Pacific Northwest Dental Conference draws 4,600+ attendees and offers 20+ CE credits — easily accessible from Idaho, it's the top regional event for breadth of programming.
• The AGD Annual Meeting (Las Vegas, June 24–27) is the best fit if you're pursuing AGD Fellowship or Mastership credentials — 100+ CE hours in four days.
• Conference time means front-desk coverage gaps — dental practices increasingly use AI receptionists to answer calls and book appointments while staff attend off-site events.
• Free and low-cost CE options exist through Viva Learning, CDEWorld, and ADA Online CE — practical for rural Idaho practitioners and support staff.

Idaho CE Requirements: What You Need to Know

Before diving into the event list, here's a quick overview of Idaho's CE requirements for dental license renewals:

Idaho dental licenses are renewed through the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (DOPL). The Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA) is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider — CE credits earned at ISDA-sanctioned events count directly toward your renewal.

CPR is required for both dentists and hygienists. Dentist licenses renew September 30 of every even-numbered year; hygienist licenses renew March 31 of each odd-numbered year.

Dental Events in Idaho 2026

1. ISDA Dental Day at the Capitol — Feb 19, 2026

Organizer: Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA)

Location: Idaho State Capitol, Boise, ID

Format: Advocacy/legislative event — not a CE event

Who Should Attend: Dentists and dental leaders interested in Idaho dental policy

The inaugural ISDA Dental Day at the Capitol drew 65 participants to meet with Idaho lawmakers on dental access issues. This is an advocacy-focused event, not a CE conference. The next occurrence is tentatively scheduled for January 28, 2027.

Details: Visit the ISDA events calendar for future advocacy event announcements.

2. North Idaho Conference — March 6, 2026

Organizer: Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA)

Location: Coeur d'Alene Resort, Coeur d'Alene, ID

CE Credits: Yes (ADA CERP Recognized Provider)

Who Should Attend: Dentists, dental hygienists, office managers, and dental assistants in northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest

The North Idaho Conference is the ISDA's annual event for dental professionals in the northern part of the state. Held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, it combines clinical education sessions with networking opportunities in one of Idaho's most scenic venues.

Key reasons to attend:

• Clinical CE sessions covering current techniques and materials
• Convenient for practices in Coeur d'Alene, Spokane corridor, and North Idaho
• Smaller, community-focused format — easier networking than large national conferences
• Full team attendance encouraged (dentists, hygienists, and staff all benefit)

Registration: Visit theisda.org/events/north-idaho-conference for session details and registration.

3. ISDA Annual Session — June 11–13, 2026

Organizer: Idaho State Dental Association (ISDA)

Location: Boise Centre East, Boise, ID

Early Bird Deadline: May 8, 2026

CE Credits: Yes (ADA CERP Recognized Provider — multiple hours, hands-on courses + lectures)

Who Should Attend: All Idaho dental professionals — dentists, hygienists, assistants, office managers, and DSO leadership

The ISDA Annual Session is Idaho's premier dental event of the year. Held over three days at Boise Centre East, it brings together dentists and dental teams from across the state for clinical education, business sessions, and a vendor exhibition floor.

What to expect:

• Multiple concurrent CE tracks covering clinical and practice management topics
• Exhibit hall featuring dental suppliers, technology vendors, and service providers
• ISDA membership business meeting and leadership elections
• Networking receptions and peer-to-peer learning
• Full-team registration options — bring your hygienists, assistants, and front office staff
• Special event: Flossy 5K run/walk

The Annual Session is typically the single best opportunity for Idaho dental professionals to earn a large block of CE credits in one event while connecting with the wider Idaho dental community. Register before May 8 to take advantage of early bird pricing.

Registration: Visit theisda.org/events/annual-session or call (208) 343-7543 for questions.

4. IDHA Events — 2026 CE Dates

Organizer: Idaho Dental Hygienists' Association (IDHA)

Location: Statewide — varies by component

CE Credits: Yes (hygiene-specific CE topics)

Who Should Attend: Dental hygienists across Idaho

The Idaho Dental Hygienists' Association runs its own continuing education events, component meetings, and annual meetings separate from the ISDA calendar. These events focus on topics specific to clinical hygiene practice, including periodontal protocols, patient communication, and expanded function topics.

• Visit idha.org/meetinginfo.php for current 2026 meeting dates
• Component-level meetings are held regionally throughout the year
• Membership in IDHA gives access to discounted CE rates and advance registration

Regional Dental Conferences Worth Attending from Idaho

Idaho's location makes several large regional dental conferences easily accessible. These events draw thousands of dental professionals from the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain states, and beyond — and many Idaho practices send their full teams.

5. Rocky Mountain Dental Convention — Jan 22–24, 2026

Organizer: Metro Denver Dental Society

Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO

CE Credits: Yes — multiple AGD PACE and ADA CERP approved sessions

Distance from Boise: ~730 miles (direct flights available)

Who Should Attend: Dentists, hygienists, assistants, and office managers in the Rocky Mountain region

The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention is one of the most well-attended dental conventions in the Western United States. The 2026 edition runs January 22–24 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, offering:

• 100+ in-person lectures and hands-on clinical workshops
• Expanded exhibit hall with the latest dental technology and supplies
• Sessions spanning general dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, implants, and practice management
• Evening networking events and social gatherings

Registration: Visit rmdconline.com for the 2026 session schedule and registration.

6. Pacific Northwest Dental Conference — May 2026

Organizer: Washington State Dental Association (WSDA)

Location: Summit – Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA

CE Credits: 20+ CE credits in 3 days (ADA CERP recognized)

Distance from Boise: ~340 miles (direct flights from Boise to Seattle); ~90 miles from North Idaho

Who Should Attend: Dentists, dental hygienists, assistants, and office managers in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana

The Pacific Northwest Dental Conference is the largest dental event in the Pacific Northwest, consistently drawing 4,600+ dental professionals. Base registration includes 170+ free lectures and access to an exhibit hall with 150+ companies. Hands-on clinical workshops are available at an additional cost.

What makes PNDC a top choice for Idaho attendees:

• Massive exhibit hall — hundreds of vendors, tech demos, and product showcases
• CE for every role — separate tracks for dentists, hygienists, assistants, and front office staff
• Hands-on workshops — clinical technique labs with small-group instruction
• Accessible from Idaho — multiple daily flights from Boise to Seattle; also drivable from northern Idaho

Registration: Visit pndc2026.eventscribe.net for session catalog and registration.

7. Inland Northwest Dental Conference — 2026 TBD

Organizer: Spokane District Dental Society

Location: Spokane, WA (2025 venue: The Davenport Grand Hotel)

CE Credits: Yes — full team event (dentists, hygienists, assistants)

Distance from North Idaho: ~30 miles

Who Should Attend: Dentists and dental teams in northern Idaho and eastern Washington

The Inland Northwest Dental Conference is the closest major dental event for northern Idaho practices — a short drive from Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding region. Historically held in April (2025: April 24–26), 2026 dates have not yet been announced as of April 2026.

• Annual event with hands-on CE workshops and a dental exhibit hall
• Ideal for full-team attendance from North Idaho practices without significant travel
• Watch indc-spokane.com for 2026 date announcements

8. AGD Annual Meeting — June 24–27, 2026

Organizer: Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

Early Bird Deadline: April 30, 2026

CE Credits: 100+ CE hours across lectures and hands-on workshops

Who Should Attend: General dentists pursuing AGD Fellowship (FAGD) or Mastership (MAGD) credentials

The AGD Annual Meeting is a premier national event for general dentists seeking intensive CE. With 100+ CE hours across four days, it's the most efficient conference for dentists working toward FAGD or MAGD credentials. CE earned at the AGD Annual Meeting applies directly to the AGD credential track.

Registration: Visit agd.org/agd-meeting for the full program and registration. Early bird pricing ended April 30, 2026.

9. ADA Scientific Session — Oct 8–10, 2026

Organizer: American Dental Association (ADA)

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

CE Credits: Yes — extensive ADA CERP accredited programming

Who Should Attend: Any dental professional seeking national-level CE and industry exposure

The ADA Scientific Session replaces SmileCon starting in 2026 and is the largest annual dental conference in the United States. The 2026 edition runs October 8–10 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, drawing attendees from all 50 states.

Key highlights:

• 250+ scientific sessions and hands-on workshops
• Largest dental trade show in the country
• ADA member business sessions and specialty society meetings
• Continuing education credits in virtually every clinical and management discipline

Registration: Visit ada.org/education/scientific-session for 2026 session information and registration.

Virtual and Online CE Options for Idaho Dentists

Not every CE credit requires travel. Idaho dental professionals — especially those in rural areas or with limited conference budgets — have strong virtual options available:

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ISDA members can access ADA Online CE at member pricing — a commonly overlooked benefit that helps fill remaining credits after attending in-person events.

How to Plan Your CE Calendar for 2026

Getting the most out of Idaho's dental event calendar requires a little planning. Here's a practical approach:

Step 1: Anchor around the ISDA Annual Session. It's the state's flagship event and the easiest place to earn a large block of credits in one trip. Block June 11–13 and register before May 8 for early bird pricing.

Step 2: Add the North Idaho Conference if you're in northern Idaho or the Spokane corridor. March 6 is an efficient day trip for most northern Idaho practices.

Step 3: Pick one regional conference. For most Idaho practices, PNDC in Seattle (May 28–30) or RMDC in Denver (January 22–24) is the right choice — depending on specialty focus and team size. If you're in North Idaho, also watch for INDC Spokane dates.

Step 4: Fill remaining credits with online CE. ISDA members get discounted access to ADA's online CE library. Viva Learning and CDEWorld are especially practical for hygienists, assistants, and front office staff who can't always take time off for multi-day events.

Step 5: Plan for front desk coverage. When multiple team members attend events, phone coverage becomes a real issue. Many dental practices now use an AI receptionist to handle inbound calls, book appointments, and collect patient information while staff are off-site — so no production is lost during conference weeks.

Dental Events in Idaho 2026 — at a Glance

What Happens to Your Practice During Conference Week?

When your team attends a multi-day conference, calls go unanswered, appointments go unbooked, and production drops without a front desk coverage plan. Missed calls during conference travel often mean missed appointment bookings — and those production losses can quickly offset the value of the CE investment.

More Idaho dental practices are addressing this with an AI receptionist that stays on the phones while the team is away. Arini's AI receptionist answers every call within 300ms, books appointments directly into your practice management software (including OpenDental, EagleSoft, and Denticon), and handles insurance verification and patient intake — 24/7, HIPAA-compliant, without requiring a human at the desk.

Practices using Arini during conference weeks have found it eliminates the "calls we missed while we were in Boise" problem entirely. Kare Mobile booked $56K in new patient appointments in their first month using Arini.

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Which Idaho Dental Events to Prioritize in 2026

There's no single right answer — the best events depend on your role, location, and CE goals.

• For the most efficient in-state networking and CE, the ISDA Annual Session (June 11–13, Boise) is the highest-priority event of the year — the largest credit block available in Idaho, with registration open now.
• For northern Idaho practices, the North Idaho Conference (March 6, Coeur d'Alene) is the most convenient option and a natural day trip without significant travel cost.
• For hands-on clinical CE and exhibit hall access, the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (May 28–30, Seattle) offers the best value — 20+ credits included in base registration.
• For dentists pursuing AGD credentials, the AGD Annual Meeting (June 24–27, Las Vegas) is purpose-built for FAGD and MAGD tracks with 100+ CE hours.
• For rural Idaho practitioners or budget-conscious teams, virtual CE through Viva Learning and CDEWorld covers many credit requirements at no cost.

No matter which events you attend, plan for practice coverage before you leave — missed calls during conference weeks are preventable production losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major dental events in Idaho in 2026?

The two primary Idaho-based events are the ISDA North Idaho Conference on March 6, 2026 (Coeur d'Alene Resort) and the ISDA Annual Session on June 11–13, 2026 (Boise Centre East). Both are organized by the Idaho State Dental Association and offer ADA CERP-accredited continuing education credits.

How many CE credits do Idaho dentists need?

Idaho dentists must earn 30 continuing education credits per biennial renewal period. Dental hygienists also require 30 CE credits per biennial period. Both requirements are enforced by the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (DOPL). Dentist licenses renew September 30 of even-numbered years; hygienist licenses renew March 31 of odd-numbered years.

Is the ISDA an ADA CERP Recognized Provider?

Yes. The Idaho State Dental Association is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider, which means CE credits earned at ISDA events are officially recognized for Idaho dental license renewals.

What dental conferences are near Idaho?

Yes. The Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (January 22–24, 2026, Denver), Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (May 28–30, 2026, Seattle), and Inland Northwest Dental Conference (2026 dates TBD, Spokane) are all within travel range of most Idaho practices. INDC Spokane is particularly convenient for North Idaho dental teams — approximately 30 miles from Coeur d'Alene.

Do Idaho dental hygienists have their own events?

Yes. The Idaho Dental Hygienists' Association (IDHA) hosts its own component meetings and annual event with hygiene-specific CE content. Visit idha.org for current 2026 dates and component meeting information.

Are there virtual CE options for Idaho dentists?

Yes. Several providers offer free or low-cost online CE: Viva Learning, CDEWorld, and Dental CE Academy all offer live and on-demand webinars with ADA CERP or PACE recognition. ADA Online CE is also available at discounted pricing for ADA/ISDA members — a practical option for rural Idaho practitioners and support staff who can't attend multi-day in-person events.

How can practices handle calls during conferences?

Many dental practices use an AI receptionist to manage inbound calls while the team is at conferences. An AI receptionist answers calls, books appointments into the practice management system, and collects patient information around the clock — so no calls or bookings are missed during conference travel.

Where can I find the full ISDA event calendar for 2026?

The Idaho State Dental Association maintains a full calendar of events at theisda.org/events/event-calendar, including CE courses, component meetings, and specialty events throughout the year.

Stay Connected with Idaho's Dental Community

The dental events calendar in Idaho for 2026 offers a strong mix of local and regional options — from the intimate North Idaho Conference at the Coeur d'Alene Resort to the state's flagship gathering at Boise Centre East in June.

For Idaho dental professionals, the strategy is straightforward: anchor your CE calendar around the ISDA Annual Session, add one regional conference, and fill remaining credits with targeted online courses. Plan for staff travel logistics early — including how your practice will handle front desk staffing and patient calls while the team is away.

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