List of Dental Events in Mississippi - 2026

If you're trying to plan your CE hours for 2026, you've probably run into the same frustration: the Mississippi dental events calendar is sparse on confirmed details early in the year, several annual programs haven't published their 2026 dates, and it's not always clear which events are confirmed versus still pending. Tracking dental events in Mississippi 2026 means assembling a calendar from the Mississippi Dental Association, UMMC, the dental hygienists' association, and national conferences — all at different stages of announcement.

This guide covers every dental event in Mississippi 2026 that we could verify, with dates, locations, CE credit information, and registration links where available. Solo practitioners finishing biennial CE hours, dental hygienists seeking ADHA-approved courses, and dental students building their professional network will all find relevant events here.

Key Takeaways

• The MDA Young Dentist CE Event (August 14–15) is the only confirmed in-state event with registration open and specific pricing as of April 2026 — the hotel block expires July 13, three months before the event
• UMMC Dental Mission Week (February 2–5) has already taken place for 2026 — add it to your 2027 calendar now
• The MDA 152nd Annual Dental Meeting date and venue are still TBD — the 2025 meeting ran June 11–14, making mid-year the reasonable planning window
• ADA Scientific Session (October 8–10, Indianapolis) and AGD Annual Conference (June 24–27, Las Vegas) are fully confirmed and bookable now — both reachable via Jackson or Gulf Coast airports
• Dental hygienists should watch mississippiadha.org for the 2026 Annual Session announcement, typically published mid-year
• Solo practitioners: conference week is one of the most common windows for missed new-patient calls — plan your phone coverage before you leave

Quick Reference: Dental Events in Mississippi 2026

Why Should Mississippi Dentists Plan CE Now?

Mississippi's biennial renewal cycle is the reason last-minute CE planning backfires. Practitioners who front-load their CE in year one avoid the scramble of cramming hours in the final months before renewal.

The 2026 calendar is already narrowing. UMMC Dental Mission Week passed in February. The MDA Annual Meeting date is unannounced. The MDA Young Dentist CE Event — the one confirmed in-state option with open registration — has a hotel room block that expires July 13, three months before the event itself. National conferences like the ADA Scientific Session historically sell out major hotel blocks six to nine months in advance.

Dentists who map their dental CE events in Mississippi and national conference attendance in the spring arrive at renewal season credit-complete. Those who wait typically find fewer in-state options and higher travel costs for the national conferences that fill in the gaps.

Dental Events in Mississippi 2026: MDA Programs

The Mississippi Dental Association (MDA) is the state's primary professional organization for dentists and coordinates the largest in-state dental events each year. Their calendar includes the flagship Annual Dental Meeting, continuing education programs, a dedicated young dentist track, and district-level meetings throughout the state.

MDA 152nd Annual Dental Meeting

Status: Dates and location to be announced | Organizer: Mississippi Dental Association | CE Credits: TBD

The MDA Annual Dental Meeting is the signature event on Mississippi's dental calendar — the 152nd installment in 2026. The conference typically spans three to four days and includes clinical CE sessions, a dental equipment and products expo, hands-on workshops, and social programming for attendees and their families.

Historically, the MDA Annual Meeting has been held at resort destinations — the 151st Annual Meeting (2025) was held June 11–14 at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama, a popular Gulf Coast venue shared by dentists from both states. Practitioners tracking events on the Mississippi/Alabama border should also bookmark the Alabama dental events calendar for Gulf Coast conferences that sometimes overlap with MDA scheduling.

As of April 2026, the 2026 dates and venue have not been publicly announced. Check msdental.org/meetings-events/mda-annual-dental-meeting for updates, or contact MDA directly at their Jackson office.

Why attend: The Annual Meeting is the most efficient way to earn a significant block of CE hours in one trip, with the added benefit of reconnecting with colleagues from across the state. For dentists with families, the resort-style venues make it easy to combine professional development with a short vacation.

MDA Young Dentist CE Event

Date: August 14–15, 2026 | Location: Centennial Plaza Resort, Mississippi | CE Credits: 8 CEUs | Cost: $350 (MDA Members) / $600 (Non-Members) (Source)

This two-day hands-on CE program is tailored specifically for dentists in the early stages of their career, though it is open to all MDA members. The schedule is structured to maximize clinical learning time:

• Day 1: Registration 8:30–9:00 AM → Hands-on CE session 9:00 AM–12:00 PM → Lunch 12:00–1:00 PM → CE session 1:00–3:00 PM
• Day 2: CE session 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

A hotel room block is available at the Centennial Plaza Resort for August 13–15, 2026 at rates of $129/night (King) or $149/night (Double Queen). Room block holds until July 13, 2026 — book before that date to secure the conference rate. (Source)

The event is co-sponsored by Brown and Brown, Dynamic Dental Advisors, ZimVie, and MDA Leaders, reflecting a mix of financial, investment, and clinical product partners relevant to early-career dentists.

For registration: msdental.org/meetings-events/young-dentist-ce-event

MDA District Meetings and CE Programs

The MDA divides Mississippi into districts, each holding periodic meetings for local member engagement. The MDA also publishes an upcoming CE programs calendar covering shorter courses, workshops, and special events throughout the year.

For the complete list of district meetings and upcoming CE programs:

• msdental.org/meetings-events/district-meetings
• msdental.org/meetings-events/upcoming-ce-programs

These listings are updated regularly, so check back if you're looking for local events closer to home.

UMMC 10th Annual Dental Mission Week

Dates: February 2–5, 2026 | Location: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS | Organizer: UMMC School of Dentistry

Now in its 10th year, the UMMC Dental Mission Week is one of the most significant community oral health events in Mississippi. The event mobilizes volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and support staff to provide free dental care to underserved adults and children in the Jackson area. The 2026 event coincides with Give Kids a Smile, the ADA's national pediatric dental access initiative.

Why this matters professionally: Dental Mission Week is not simply a charity event — it is a coordinated, clinical environment where volunteers work alongside faculty and students from UMMC's School of Dentistry. For practicing dentists, volunteering is a meaningful way to give back to the Mississippi community, meet UMMC faculty and fellow practitioners, and in some cases fulfill community service hours that count toward CE requirements depending on your role.

Applications and volunteer registration: umc.edu/sod/Dental-Mission-Week/Apply.html

Mississippi Dental Hygienists' Association Events

The Mississippi Dental Hygienists' Association (MDHA), the state's ADHA chapter, organizes CE events and an annual session for dental hygienists across Mississippi. Their events are ADHA-approved and count toward hygienist CE requirements.

2025 reference: The MDHA Annual Session was held February 20–21, 2025 at the Centennial Plaza in Gulfport — a two-day event featuring CE sessions, business meetings, and networking for Mississippi hygienists.

2026 Annual Session: Dates and venue for 2026 have not yet been announced as of April 2026. Check mississippiadha.org/events for updates as the fall calendar typically starts publishing mid-year.

Mid-South Dental Hygiene Educator's Conference: This is a regional conference drawing dental hygiene educators and clinicians from Mississippi and neighboring states like Louisiana. The 2025 event was the 15th annual installment. The 2026 date is TBD — watch the MDHA events page.

For dental hygienists completing their biennial CE requirement, MDHA events are among the most relevant and conveniently located options in the state. ADHA-approved online CE providers can supplement in-person attendance if needed — check mississippiadha.org for approved provider links.

Mississippi CE Requirements: What You Need in 2026

Understanding how dental CE events in Mississippi map to your license renewal cycle helps you plan attendance at dental events in Mississippi 2026 strategically rather than scrambling at the end of the cycle.

Mississippi dentists are required to complete continuing education hours each biennial renewal period under the authority of the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners. The Board's event calendar (dentalboard.ms.gov/event-calendar) lists approved activities and renewal period deadlines.

Renewal cycle planning tips:

• Front-load CE attendance in year one — the MDA Annual Meeting and Young Dentist CE Event together can cover a substantial portion of your requirement in a single cycle
• Track provider certificates as you earn them — store them in a dedicated folder (digital or physical) and run a tally at the midpoint of your renewal cycle
• Online CE from state-approved providers can fill gaps between in-person events — the Board's approved provider list is the authoritative source

Dental hygienists in Mississippi have a separate CE requirement administered through their own licensing body. Contact the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners or the MDHA directly for current CE hour requirements and approved subject areas for hygienists.

National Dental Conferences Worth Attending from Mississippi

Dental conferences in Mississippi 2026 cover the core CE categories, but for dentists pursuing specialized tracks or national credentials, major conferences are one connecting flight away. Mississippi dentists with access to Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport or Gulf Coast regional airports — and those connecting through Nashville who already track dental events in Tennessee — can reasonably attend these national dental conferences alongside Mississippi dental association events 2026:

ADA Scientific Session 2026

Dates: October 8–10, 2026 | Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

The American Dental Association's Scientific Session is one of the largest dental education and trade events in the country. The 2026 meeting features hundreds of CE sessions across clinical, practice management, and technology tracks, plus one of the largest dental product expos in North America. Multiple CE credits available across the three days.

Registration and details: ada.org/education/scientific-session

AGD Annual Conference 2026

Dates: June 24–27, 2026 | Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

The Academy of General Dentistry annual conference is one of the premier CE events for general dentists. The 2026 meeting at Caesars Palace will feature comprehensive CE tracks covering restorative, implant, endodontic, pediatric, and practice management topics. AGD's program is particularly strong for dentists pursuing Fellowship or Mastership credentials.

Registration and details: agd.org/agd-meeting

For a broader list of national dental conferences: berxi.com/resources/articles/best-dental-conferences/

How to Keep Your Practice Running During Conference Season

Attending a dental conference is straightforward for group practices and DSOs — coverage rotates across the team. For solo practitioners in Mississippi, the bigger operational challenge is what happens to your phone while you're away.

Patients don't stop calling because you're at the MDA Annual Meeting. Appointment requests, medication refills, and urgent questions still come in during conference week — and missed calls translate directly to missed revenue and frustrated patients. Dental practices miss up to 35% of inbound calls under normal conditions; that number climbs during conference week when no one is staffing the front desk.

Arini's AI receptionist keeps dental practices running 24/7 regardless of who's in the office. Arini answers calls in 300ms, books appointments directly into OpenDental, EagleSoft, Denticon, and other practice management systems, handles after-hours patient communication, and flags urgent issues for your team — all HIPAA compliant, without a human receptionist needing to be present. Practices using Arini have reported outcomes like a 12% revenue increase at Unified Dental Care from capturing missed production during off-hours and conference windows.

For a solo practitioner attending a two-day CE event, that means zero missed appointments and no voicemail backlog on return.

Which Events Should You Prioritize?

The MDA Young Dentist CE Event (August 14–15, 8 CEUs) is the strongest confirmed in-state option for 2026. Here's a breakdown by career stage and CE goal:

• Early-career dentists → The MDA Young Dentist CE Event (August 14–15) is the strongest in-state option: 8 CEUs, practice management focus, $350 for MDA members, with hotel blocks available through July 13. (Source)
• Dentists maximizing CE hours per trip → The MDA Annual Meeting (dates TBD) remains the most efficient way to earn a large CE block while networking with colleagues statewide. Watch msdental.org for the 2026 date announcement.
• Dental hygienists → The MDHA Annual Session is the primary in-state ADHA-approved option. Dates still TBD — check mississippiadha.org mid-year.
• Dentists pursuing national credentials → The AGD Annual Conference (June 24–27, Las Vegas) is the best choice for Fellowship and Mastership credit tracks. The ADA Scientific Session (October 8–10, Indianapolis) offers the broadest CE catalog and the largest equipment expo.
• Community-focused practitioners → Add UMMC Dental Mission Week to your 2027 calendar — the 11th annual event is expected in the same February window.

If you're planning conference travel this year, now is the time to sort your practice phone coverage. Book a Demo to see how Arini keeps your dental practice running while you're earning CE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What CE is required for Mississippi dentists in 2026?

Mississippi dentists must complete continuing education each biennial renewal period as required by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners. The Board's website at dentalboard.ms.gov publishes current CE hour requirements, approved subject areas, and renewal deadlines for each license cycle.

When is the MDA Annual Dental Meeting in 2026?

As of April 2026, the Mississippi Dental Association has not yet announced the date or location for the 152nd Annual Dental Meeting. The 2025 meeting was held June 11–14 at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. Check msdental.org/meetings-events/mda-annual-dental-meeting for the official announcement.

What is the MDA Young Dentist CE Event?

The MDA Young Dentist CE Event is a two-day, hands-on continuing education program scheduled for August 14–15, 2026, at the Centennial Plaza Resort in Mississippi. It offers 8 CEUs and costs $350 for MDA members or $600 for non-members. Hotel room blocks are available until July 13, 2026.

What is UMMC Dental Mission Week?

UMMC Dental Mission Week is the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry's annual free dental care event for underserved patients. The 10th annual event ran February 2–5, 2026, in Jackson, MS, and coincided with Give Kids a Smile. Volunteer dentists and hygienists can apply through the UMMC website — the 11th annual event is expected in early 2027.

Are there dental hygiene CE events in Mississippi in 2026?

The Mississippi Dental Hygienists' Association (MDHA) organizes an annual session and the Mid-South Dental Hygiene Educator's Conference, both of which offer ADHA-approved CE credit. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet — check mississippiadha.org/events for updates.

What are the major national dental conferences in 2026?

Two major national conferences are worth planning for Mississippi-based dentists: the ADA Scientific Session (October 8–10, Indianapolis) and the AGD Annual Conference (June 24–27, Las Vegas). Both are accessible via direct or one-stop flights from Jackson or Gulf Coast airports.

How do I handle patient calls during a dental conference?

Solo practitioners have three options during conference week: leave voicemail, forward calls to an answering service, or use an AI receptionist that books appointments and handles patient communication around the clock without staffing decisions. Missing appointment requests during a two- to three-day conference is a direct revenue loss — new-patient calls that go to voicemail rarely convert at the same rate as answered calls. See how AI receptionists support dental practices 24/7.

Where are Mississippi dental event listings published?

The Mississippi Dental Association, the MDHA, and the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners each maintain current event calendars. Their listings are at msdental.org/meetings-events, mississippiadha.org/events, and dentalboard.ms.gov/event-calendar. For national events, the ADA and AGD websites are the authoritative sources.

Learn How Arini Works — keep your dental practice accessible while you're earning CE.

This list reflects confirmed and announced events as of April 2026. Some details — including dates, venues, and CE credit totals — may change before the events occur. Always verify directly with the organizing association before registering.