SmileCon offers face-to-face experience after virtual year

After a year of Zoom meetings and virtual conferences, SmileCon will give dentists what they need: activities they can experience in person with their colleagues.

"We know that a screen will never replace the joy you feel when you see your colleagues face to face," said Charles McKelvey, D.D.S., 2021 meeting chair. "This will be one of the first dental meetings of 2021 that gives you the opportunity to truly reunite with the profession personally."

The American Dental Association's reimagined annual meeting is scheduled for Oct. 11-13 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Registration opens June 23 at SmileCon.org.

SmileCon will offer four registration passes: the Smile Pass, Platinum Smile Pass, Dental Central Pass and Virtual Pass.

Continuing education courses will include presentations; experiences and conversations; and hands-on activities. The Smile Pass and Platinum SmilePass include access to all presentations and experiences and conversations, as well as Dental Central, the opening and closing sessions, SmileCon Virtual and daily snacks. This is the first time the ADA's annual meeting will include a closing session.

No pre-registration is required for presentations, which will be open to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. All they need to do is have their meeting badge scanned at the classroom door.

Hands-on activities are included in the Platinum Smile Pass and available for an additional fee for Smile Pass holders. Pre-registration is required.

CE will be available before SmileCon for both attendees and non attendees. The Platinum Smile Pass offers a 15% discount on pre-SmileCon education and includes 2022 ADA membership dues as well.

The Dental Central Pass gives holders access to Dental Central — the meeting's reinvented exhibit hall — and experiences and conversations that are taking place within Dental Central.

For those who are unable to travel to Las Vegas and want a taste of the meeting, the Virtual Pass will offer users a behind-the-scenes look at SmileCon, including sneak peeks backstage before the opening and closing sessions. From the SmileCon Studio in Dental Central, virtual participants can access exclusive interviews with select SmileCon speakers. The pass will also include both live and on-demand access to virtual CE, which will be available through Dec. 31.

Early bird pricing will be available until 5 p.m. CDT July 7 for ADA member dentists, dental students, dental team members, dental team students and guests. Advance registration rates then apply until 5 p.m. CDT Sept. 30, followed by standard registration rates until Oct. 13.

For member dentists, the Smile Pass is $399 for early bird pricing and $499 for advance registration, the Platinum Smile Pass is $2,999 early and $3,499 advance, and the Virtual Pass is $99 early and $199 advance. The Dental Central Pass costs $149 for both early bird pricing and advance registration.

For dental students, the Smile Pass is $199 for early bird pricing and $299 for advance registration, the Platinum Smile Pass is $1,499 early and $1,999 advance, and the Virtual Pass is $15 early and $25 advance. The Dental Central Pass costs $25 for both early bird pricing and advance registration.

For additional pricing, go to SmileCon.org/registration.

"SmileCon's foundation is built for the unique needs of all ADA members," Dr. McKelvey said. "It's about you and your professional journey."

For the latest information on SmileCon, visit SmileCon.org.