List of Dental Events in Nebraska - 2026

Nebraska dentists have 30 hours of CE to earn every 24 months — and a license renewal deadline that doesn't flex. Most practitioners don't struggle with motivation; they struggle with logistics. Which events are worth a day out of the office? Which ones offer enough credit hours to make the trip worthwhile? Which formats fit a solo practitioner versus a multi-location group managing multiple schedules?

This guide covers all dental events in Nebraska 2026 — from the Nebraska Dental Association's flagship Annual Session to regional district meetings, dental hygienist conferences, and virtual practice management summits. Every entry includes dates, audience fit, pros and cons, and a clear read on who should prioritize attending.

The 2026 Nebraska Dental Association events kick off in May and extend through the fall, with dental CE events that Nebraska practitioners can access both in-person and online throughout the year.

TL;DR — Nebraska Dental Events 2026 at a Glance

The NDA Annual Session (May 7–8, Lincoln) is the highest-value in-person event for most Nebraska dental professionals — two days, multiple CE sessions, full exhibits. UNMC Continuing Education runs year-round for targeted online or on-campus credits. Hygienists should add the NDHA Annual Session at Mahoney State Park. Practice owners focused on growth should consider the 360 Dental Practice Success Conference (September 18–20, virtual).

Key Takeaways

• NDA Annual Session (May 7–8, Lincoln) is the state's largest in-person dental event, covering clinical CE, exhibits, and association governance.
• NDHA Annual Session (Mahoney State Park, Ashland) serves dental hygienists, dentists, and assistants with nationally acclaimed CE speakers.
• UNMC College of Dentistry runs 65+ CE courses annually for Nebraska dental professionals, with both in-person and online formats.
• NDA West District Meeting (September 18, Gering) offers focused CE with expert speakers for western Nebraska practices.
• 360 Dental Practice Success Conference (September 18–20, Virtual) targets practice owners on revenue, marketing, and operational growth.

Why CE Planning Is Harder Than It Should Be

The 30-hour CE requirement sounds manageable on paper. In practice, pulling a hygienist or dentist out of clinical production for two days isn't a small decision — every day out of the chair is revenue not captured. Add in travel costs for western Nebraska practitioners heading to Lincoln, staff scheduling complexity for groups coordinating multiple team members, and the tendency to push CE to the final quarter before renewal deadlines. The result is a calendar full of reactive decisions instead of strategic ones.

Nebraska dentists renewing in March 2027 (the next odd-year deadline) should be actively accumulating hours now. Planning around the 2026 calendar early means choosing events based on clinical priorities and team fit — not just whatever's available with 60 days left on the clock. Dental professionals who also hold an Iowa license can find the same structure mapped in dental events in Iowa — the Iowa Dental Association runs a parallel 24-month renewal cycle.

1. 2026 NDA Annual Session — Nebraska Dental Association

Dates: May 7–8, 2026

Location: Innovation Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska

Format: In-person

Audience: Dentists, dental assistants, office managers, dental teams

CE Credits: Yes

The NDA Annual Session is the premier dental event in Nebraska for 2026. Held at the University of Nebraska's Innovation Campus in Lincoln, the two-day event brings together the full dental team for clinical education, exhibits, and association business.

Thursday, May 7 opens with the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates meetings, followed by an evening Awards Reception at the Scarlet Hotel.

Friday, May 8 is the main educational day, featuring:

• Exhibits hall open to all attendees
• Keynote address by Nate Loenser, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers
• CE session: True Value of Digital Dentistry
• CE session: Social Media for Dental Practices
• CE session: Operatory Maintenance
• CE session: Elevating Hygiene

District business meetings also take place on Friday, with Northeast and Southeast District Business Meetings & Lunches scheduled during the session.

Pros

• The state's largest single dental event — clinical CE, exhibits, and governance in two days
• Multi-track sessions cover different roles: dentists, hygienists, assistants, and office managers all benefit
• Evening awards reception adds networking value beyond CE hours
• Clinical and business topics paired in a single event (digital dentistry + social media + operatory maintenance)

Cons

• In-person only — no virtual or hybrid attendance option
• Lincoln location requires overnight travel for western Nebraska practices
• Single primary CE day (Friday) limits total available hours per trip

Best For

Solo practitioners and small group owners who want to satisfy a significant share of their 30-hour CE requirement efficiently. Office managers benefit particularly from the Social Media and Operatory Maintenance sessions.

Cost

Registration details available at nedental.org. NDA member rates apply; check for early-bird pricing.

Registration: nedental.org

2. Nebraska Dental Hygienists' Association Annual Session

Dates: 2026 (check nedha.org for confirmed dates)

Location: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Ashland, Nebraska

Format: In-person (two-day)

Audience: Dental hygienists, dentists, dental assistants

CE Credits: Yes

The NDHA Annual Session is held annually at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska — a well-attended gathering for hygienists and their broader dental teams. The two-day format allows for comprehensive coverage of current dental hygiene topics.

Attendees can expect nationally acclaimed speakers, hands-on CE sessions, and an exhibitor showcase featuring the latest dental hygiene products and technologies. The event is designed to satisfy CE requirements for Nebraska dental hygienists, who must complete hours within their renewal periods per state licensing requirements.

Pros

• Purpose-designed for Nebraska dental hygienists with nationally recognized CE speakers
• Two-day format allows comprehensive topic coverage that single-day events can't match
• Exhibitor showcase connects attendees with current dental hygiene products and technology
• Ashland location is accessible from both Omaha and Lincoln

Cons

• 2026 dates not yet confirmed — check nedha.org directly for schedule updates
• Primarily hygienist-focused; dentists will find the content most relevant if closely involved in hygiene protocol development

Best For

Dental hygienists looking to satisfy Nebraska CE requirements with a dedicated two-day event. Dentists who manage hygiene departments or work in team-based care models also benefit.

Cost

Check nedha.org/annual-session for 2026 registration and member pricing.

3. NDA West District Meeting

Date: Friday, September 18, 2026

Location: Gering Civic Center, Gering, Nebraska

Format: In-person

Audience: Dentists and dental professionals in western Nebraska

CE Credits: Yes

The Nebraska Dental Association's West District Meeting provides a regional CE opportunity for dental professionals in the western part of the state. The September 2026 session features Dr. Ashley Clark presenting on Comprehensive Overview of Oral Pathology — a clinically focused program relevant to general dentists and specialists alike.

District meeting format keeps the group smaller and content highly practical. For practices in Gering, Scottsbluff, or anywhere along the Nebraska panhandle, this is the most accessible in-state CE event on the 2026 calendar. Panhandle practices that also schedule patients near the Wyoming border can compare scheduling options with dental events in Wyoming, which covers the Wyoming Dental Association's annual session calendar.

Pros

• Small group format means more direct speaker access and better clinical Q&A
• Clinically focused topic (Oral Pathology) — directly applicable to daily patient care
• Most accessible in-state CE option for western Nebraska practices — no Lincoln commute
• Counts toward Nebraska CE requirements through NDA membership

Cons

• Single-day, single-speaker format limits total available CE hours
• Content scope is narrower compared to multi-track events

Best For

Dentists and dental professionals in Gering, Scottsbluff, and the Nebraska panhandle who can't justify the trip to Lincoln for the NDA Annual Session. A practical option for western Nebraska practices needing focused clinical CE hours in the fall.

Cost

Registration at nedental.org/meetings-events/nda-district-events. NDA member rates apply.

4. UNMC College of Dentistry — Continuing Education Courses

Dates: Ongoing throughout 2026

Location: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (+ online)

Format: In-person and online

Audience: Dentists, hygienists, dental assistants

CE Credits: Yes

The UNMC College of Dentistry's Office of Continuing Dental Education is one of the most active CE providers in the region — delivering more than 65 courses annually to over 1,700 oral health professionals nationwide. While many dental conferences in Nebraska 2026 are single-day events, UNMC's ongoing catalog means practitioners can earn credits year-round rather than in concentrated bursts. Nebraska-based practitioners can access courses on-campus in Omaha or through live-stream and online formats.

2026 course topics include:

• Esthetic dentistry and cosmetic procedures
• Implant rehabilitation
• Removable denture therapy
• Pharmacotherapy and sedation
• Infection control and OSHA compliance

Nebraska dentists must complete 30 hours of CE during each 24-month renewal cycle (renewals due March 1 of odd-numbered years). UNMC courses are ADA CERP–recognized and satisfy Nebraska state licensing requirements.

Pros

• 65+ courses annually means year-round access to topic-specific credits — no need to wait for a calendar event
• Both in-person (Omaha) and online formats accommodate different practice schedules
• ADA CERP–recognized; counts toward Nebraska dental license renewal
• Covers specialty areas (implants, sedation, esthetics) that broader association events don't address in depth
• Over 1,700 nationwide attendees signals consistent program quality and speaker caliber

Cons

• No single anchor event to plan around — requires self-directed enrollment and scheduling
• Some specialty courses may have clinical prerequisites

Best For

Any Nebraska dental professional who wants to fill specific clinical knowledge gaps outside the traditional conference calendar. Ideal for practitioners who prefer shorter targeted courses over multi-day in-person events, or who have already attended the NDA Annual Session and need specialty-area hours to reach 30.

Cost

Course fees vary by topic and duration. Contact UNMC Continuing Dental Education at 402-472-2611 or [email protected].

Course listings: unmc.edu/dentistry/continuinged/courses

5. 360 Dental Practice Success Conference 2026

Dates: September 18–20, 2026

Location: Virtual (online)

Format: 3-day live virtual conference

Audience: Dental practice owners (practices generating $720K–$150M+ annually)

CE Credits: Varies

The 360 Dental Practice Success Conference is a three-day virtual event tailored specifically for dental practice owners focused on growth, operations, and practice management. Nebraska dentists can attend from anywhere without travel. (Source)

Conference structure:

• Day 1 — Foundation: Revenue, structure, and financial control. Includes sessions like The $5M Dental Practice Blueprint and The Ultimate KPI Dashboard.
• Day 2 — Growth: Patient acquisition, marketing, and market positioning. Deep dives into conversion, branding, and new patient flow.
• Day 3 — Scale: Systems, hiring, and operational infrastructure for multi-location groups and DSOs. (Source)

Attendees receive ready-to-use implementation templates including marketing scripts, hiring frameworks, and conversion systems.

Pros

• Fully virtual — no travel, no clinical production loss for attending practitioners
• Structured specifically for dental practice owners rather than clinical teams
• Three-day format provides comprehensive business-track coverage (revenue, growth, scale)
• Ready-to-implement templates reduce the gap between conference learning and practice application
• Accessible to Nebraska practices regardless of geographic location

Cons

• CE credit availability varies — confirm specific hours before registering if CE is your primary goal
• Content is business/operations focused, not clinical CE — does not substitute for clinical renewal hours

Best For

Dental practice owners generating $720K+ annually who want structured business development content — particularly those building toward multi-location operations or evaluating DSO models. Not a substitute for clinical CE.

Cost

Registration at bestdentalsuccessconference.com.

Nebraska CE Requirements at a Glance

Nebraska Dental Board contact: (402) 471-2115

How to Plan Around Dental Events in Nebraska 2026

For most Nebraska dental practices, a full CE calendar for 2026 might look like:

1. Spring (May): Attend the NDA Annual Session in Lincoln for primary CE credits and exhibits. This flagship event satisfies a significant portion of your 30-hour renewal requirement in a single two-day session.
2. Summer/Fall (Ongoing): Supplement with UNMC online courses for topic-specific clinical skills. UNMC's 65+ annual course catalog is ideal for filling gaps in specialty areas like implants, sedation, or infection control.
3. Fall (September): Attend the NDA West District Meeting (Gering) if you're in western Nebraska — or join the 360 Dental Practice Success Conference virtually for business skills.
4. Hygiene team: Plan around the NDHA Annual Session at Mahoney State Park for hygienist-specific CE.

Coordinating your team's attendance around these events reduces last-minute scrambles before license renewal deadlines. Nebraska dentists renewing in March 2027 (the next odd-year deadline) should be actively banking CE hours now.

Tracking CE Credits

Keep a running log of completed CE hours for each team member — the Nebraska Dental Board can request proof of completion during audits. Many providers (NDA, UNMC, NDHA) issue ADA CERP certificates by email; store them in a shared folder by practitioner and renewal year. For team-wide visibility, a simple spreadsheet tracking provider, course date, credit hours, and topic category is sufficient for most practices. Nebraska dental teams with staff licensed in Kansas can review dental events in Kansas for KDA-approved CE events that may satisfy multi-state renewal requirements.

Which 2026 Nebraska Dental Events Should You Attend?

There's no single event that's right for every Nebraska dental professional. Here's how to prioritize based on your role and practice stage:

• For solo practitioners building CE credit hours, the NDA Annual Session (May 7–8) should be your anchor event. Two days of clinical and operational sessions in Lincoln cover a large share of your 30-hour renewal requirement in one trip.
• For dental hygienists, the NDHA Annual Session at Mahoney State Park is the designated in-state event for hygienist-specific CE — pair it with UNMC online courses to round out your hours for the renewal cycle.
• For western Nebraska practices, the NDA West District Meeting (September 18, Gering) is the most accessible in-state option without a Lincoln commute. The oral pathology focus is directly applicable for general dentists and specialists.
• For dental practice owners focused on growth, the 360 Dental Practice Success Conference (September 18–20, virtual) covers business-track content that clinical events don't — revenue, hiring, and operational infrastructure for scaling.
• For filling topic-specific clinical gaps year-round, UNMC College of Dentistry CE courses are available in-person and online throughout 2026 — the most flexible option for practitioners who prefer shorter targeted credits over multi-day events.

Most Nebraska dental teams benefit from combining two or three: the NDA Annual Session for the core CE block, UNMC courses for specialty credits, and either the NDHA Session or 360 Conference depending on team composition. Teams concerned about after-hours call coverage during CE travel weeks can automate front-desk availability without adding staff — ensuring patient calls are captured even when the team is out for the NDA Annual Session in Lincoln.

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How Dental Practices Use Downtime Between Events

CE events are two to five days a year. The other 250+ days, Nebraska dental practices deal with the volume of patient calls that determine whether production targets are met or missed. Practices miss up to 35% of inbound calls during peak hours — calls that represent appointments never booked and revenue never captured. For practices relying on callbacks and voicemail, the production gap compounds with every day the team is off-site for CE.

Arini is an AI receptionist purpose-built for dental practices. It answers calls in 300ms, books appointments directly into OpenDental, EagleSoft, and Denticon, and handles after-hours inquiries 24/7 — so your team can focus on patients in the chair while Arini captures the production happening on the phone.

Kare Mobile booked $56K in new patient appointments in the first month after implementing Arini. Unified Dental Care increased revenue 12% without adding headcount. Arini is HIPAA-compliant, integrates with your existing PMS on day one, and handles up to 15 concurrent callers — including the surge of inbound calls your front desk misses during CE week in Lincoln.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main dental events in Nebraska in 2026?

The main dental events in Nebraska in 2026 include the NDA Annual Session (May 7–8 in Lincoln), the NDHA Annual Session (Mahoney State Park, Ashland), the NDA West District Meeting (September 18 in Gering), and ongoing CE courses through UNMC College of Dentistry. The 360 Dental Practice Success Conference (September 18–20) is a virtual option for practice owners.

How many CE hours do Nebraska dentists need in 2026?

Nebraska dentists must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each 24-month renewal period, with renewals due on or before March 1 of odd-numbered years. A maximum of 10 hours per renewal cycle may be earned through home study. For details, contact the Nebraska Dental Board at (402) 471-2115.

Where is the 2026 NDA Annual Session being held?

The 2026 Nebraska Dental Association Annual Session is being held at Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 7–8, 2026.

Is the 360 Dental Practice Success Conference available to Nebraska dentists?

Yes. The 360 Dental Practice Success Conference is fully virtual (September 18–20, 2026), so Nebraska dental practice owners can attend from anywhere without travel.

Where can Nebraska dental hygienists find CE events in 2026?

The NDHA Annual Session at Mahoney State Park in Ashland is the primary in-person CE event for Nebraska dental hygienists. UNMC College of Dentistry also offers hygienist-relevant courses throughout the year. Visit nedha.org/annual-session for confirmed 2026 dates. Most Nebraska dental hygienists pair the NDHA session with UNMC's year-round online catalog to satisfy renewal hours. Hygienists near the Missouri border may also find relevant programming through dental events in Missouri.

Does attending the NDA Annual Session satisfy Nebraska CE requirements?

Yes, the NDA Annual Session offers ADA CERP–recognized CE credits that count toward Nebraska dental license renewal requirements. The Friday session on May 8, 2026 includes multiple CE presentations for dentists, hygienists, and assistants.

Can I complete all 30 Nebraska dental CE hours online?

Partially. Nebraska allows a maximum of 10 hours per 24-month renewal cycle through home study or online formats. The remaining 20 hours must be completed through approved in-person or live-interactive CE. UNMC College of Dentistry offers both online and in-person options that satisfy Nebraska requirements.

How do I track CE hours for Nebraska dental license renewal?

Nebraska requires licensed practitioners to maintain proof of CE completion — the Dental Board can request records during audits. Most providers (NDA, UNMC, NDHA) issue ADA CERP certificates by email after each course. Keep a running spreadsheet per team member with provider name, course date, topic, and credit hours, and store certificates organized by practitioner and renewal year.

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