Georgia hosts some of the most attended dental events in the southeastern United States. In 2026, dental professionals in the state have access to four verified in-person events, ranging from the nationally recognized Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting to the state hygienists' annual session, plus ongoing virtual CE offerings from state associations. All events provide CE credit hours that count toward the 40-hour biennial renewal requirement set by the Georgia Board of Dentistry. This guide covers confirmed 2026 dates, venues, costs, and CE details for every verified dental event in Georgia, USA. (Note: a separate "Georgia International Dental Show" exists in Tbilisi, Georgia, the country, it is listed at the end for disambiguation.)

Key Takeaways

• The Hinman Dental Meeting, held in Atlanta each March, draws 20,000+ attendees and is the largest dental gathering in the state.
• The 2026 GDA Annual Convention moves to Jekyll Island (July 2–4), with registration starting at $599; GDA member dentists receive a $150 rebate upon badge pickup.
• The Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association 97th Annual Conference is scheduled for September 11–12, 2026 in Atlanta.
• Georgia dentists must complete 40 hours of CE per biennium; the in-person portion cannot be substituted with virtual courses starting with the 2024–2025 biennium.
• Dental hygienists licensed in Georgia must complete a minimum of 22 hours of CE per biennium.
• The ADA reports that 90% of dental practices find it very or extremely challenging to hire hygienists, making workforce-focused CE sessions at 2026 events particularly relevant.

Quick Comparison of Major Dental Events in Georgia (2026)

1. Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting (113th Annual)

When: March 12–14, 2026

Where: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Who it's for: Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, practice managers, and staff

CE credits: CE credits are available through individual courses; credit hours vary by session

Cost: General exhibit hall and meeting attendance is free for credentialed dental professionals who register by the advance deadline; individual courses carry separate fees per the Hinman Society's schedule

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The Hinman Dental Meeting is organized by the Hinman Dental Society of Atlanta and hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. A 2026 events overview confirms the meeting draws 20,000+ attendees, making it the largest dental gathering in the state.

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The meeting features hundreds of CE lecture and hands-on courses covering clinical dentistry, practice management, and emerging technology, alongside a large product exhibition where attendees can evaluate new dental equipment and materials. The Georgia World Congress Center draws more than one million visitors annually across all events. Atlanta ranks among the top U.S. convention cities for major professional meetings. Registration through the Hinman Society is required to access the event.

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Quick answer: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting runs March 12–14, 2026 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. General admission is free for credentialed dental professionals who register in advance; individual CE courses carry separate fees. The meeting draws 20,000+ attendees and offers hundreds of clinical and practice-management CE sessions.

2. Georgia Dental Association Annual Convention & Expo

When: Thursday, July 2, 2026 (8:00 AM EDT) through Saturday, July 4, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)

Where: Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA

Who it's for: Dentists, hygienists, staff, and students from across Georgia

CE credits: CE credits are available through the clinical and practice-management course schedule

Cost: Registration starts at $599; GDA member dentists receive a $150 registration rebate upon badge pickup; membership-level and guest attendee discounts apply

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The Georgia Dental Association is the ADA constituent society for Georgia, representing more than 3,500 member dentists with headquarters in Marietta. The 2026 Annual Convention brings together dentists, hygienists, staff, and students for CE coursework, an exhibit hall, and professional networking.

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The GDA notes that exhibitors receive dedicated hours with no competing CE, which keeps attendee-exhibitor interaction concentrated. The 2026 edition is planned with family-friendly social events, including a July 4th fireworks show, so attendees can combine CE with time on Jekyll Island. The GDA offers a dedicated mobile app to support attendee logistics. Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to the GDA's events team per the event page.

3. Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association Annual Conference (97th)

When: September 11–12, 2026

Where: Sonesta Atlanta Northwest Galleria, Atlanta, GA

Who it's for: Licensed dental hygienists and dental hygiene students

CE credits: CE credits are available; specific credit counts are not yet published

Cost: Attendee and vendor registration details are listed as TBA in July 2026 per the GDHA event page

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The Georgia Dental Hygienists' Association holds its Annual Conference, officially called the Annual Session, each fall in Atlanta. The 97th Annual Conference is a two-day meeting offering a mix of clinical and professional development CE sessions tailored to licensed hygienists and hygiene students. Exhibitors and vendors are also accommodated with a separate registration process. The GDHA also provides webinars and virtual CE throughout the year, supplementing the in-person annual session for hygienists who need flexible scheduling. Under Georgia rules, dental hygienists must complete a minimum of 22 hours of CE per biennium, and the GDHA Annual Session is structured to contribute meaningfully toward that requirement.

4. Southeastern Dental Research Symposium (36th Annual)

When: Annual; the next 2026 edition date has not been announced as of this writing

Where: Hosted by southeastern dental school institutions; the University of Florida College of Dentistry has served as a recurring host for the Southeastern Regional Clinical and Translational Research Symposium

Who it's for: Dental students, dental residents, faculty, and research professionals in the southeastern United States

CE credits: CE credit is typically available for scientific session participation in accordance with the hosting dental school's CE policies

Cost: Not publicly published; varies by host institution

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The Southeastern Dental Research Symposium is an annual scientific meeting showcasing dental and oral health research from institutions across the southeastern United States. It provides a forum for dental students, residents, faculty, and researchers to present abstracts and posters on basic, clinical, and translational research. Attendees earn CE credit for scientific session participation. This event draws a research-oriented audience distinct from the clinically focused meetings at Hinman and the GDA convention. Those interested in attending should monitor the hosting institution's announcements for confirmed 2026 dates and registration details.

5. Georgia Board of Dentistry Regulatory Meetings

When: Meeting schedule published on the Georgia Board of Dentistry website; dates vary throughout the year

Where: Georgia Board of Dentistry offices and state-designated venues, Atlanta area

Who it's for: Georgia-licensed dentists and dental hygienists following board activity; licensees subject to investigative or compliance matters

CE credits: Board meetings do not confer CE credit

Cost: No registration fee for public observation

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The Georgia Board of Dentistry holds regular public meetings covering licensure, CE rule updates, and regulatory matters affecting Georgia dental professionals. Practitioners should monitor the Board's meeting calendar directly for updates on CE rule interpretations, sedation committee decisions, and investigative committee actions that may affect renewal requirements. The Board's published rules under Chapter 150-5 govern CE requirements for dental hygienists and define qualifying CE formats.

6. District Events and In-Person Gatherings

When: Varies by district; typically scheduled throughout the calendar year

Where: Varies by GDA district; primarily across the Atlanta metro area and other major Georgia cities

Who it's for: GDA member dentists and dental team members within each geographic district

CE credits: CE availability varies by event; district-level study clubs and local CE programs are common formats

Cost: Varies; many district-level events carry nominal registration fees

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The Georgia Dental Association organizes its membership into geographic districts, each hosting in-person CE programs, study clubs, and networking gatherings throughout the year. These district events tend to be smaller and more accessible than the annual state convention, often drawing practitioners from a specific region rather than statewide. The GDA's own events calendar is the authoritative source for current district meeting schedules. The ADA's 2026 industry analysis notes that overhead costs and staffing pressures remain top concerns for practices, and district-level practice-management CE sessions address those topics in a local context.

7. Webinars and Virtual Continuing Education

When: Ongoing throughout 2026

Where: Online

Who it's for: Georgia-licensed dentists and hygienists seeking flexible CE options

CE credits: CE credit is available for approved webinars that meet Georgia Board criteria

Cost: Varies by provider; many association webinars are free or low-cost for members

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The GDHA offers webinars and virtual CE throughout 2026, supplementing the in-person Annual Session for hygienists who need scheduling flexibility. Online CE formats count toward Georgia licensure requirements when they meet Board-approved criteria, though as of the 2024–2025 biennium they cannot substitute for the in-person portion of a dentist's required hours. Post-pandemic surveys of health professionals documented a substantial shift toward virtual and on-demand CE, with lower cost and scheduling flexibility cited as primary reasons. Practitioners using webinars to complete CE should confirm provider accreditation and retain completion certificates to document compliance with Georgia Board renewal requirements.

A Note on the "Georgia International Dental Show" (Tbilisi, Georgia)

Searches for "dental events Georgia" sometimes surface results for the Georgia International Dental Show (GIDS 2026), which is held at Tbilisi Sea Plaza, 22 J. Lezhava Str., Tbilisi 0152, in the country of Georgia, not the U.S. state. GIDS is organized by the Georgian Stomatologists' Association and brings international manufacturers, distributors, and dentists together for an exhibition alongside scientific sessions and hands-on workshops. It is a separate event unrelated to U.S. licensure CE requirements. U.S.-licensed practitioners seeking events for Georgia (USA) CE credit should focus on the events listed above.

How Do You Choose the Right Dental Event in Georgia?

What should dentists prioritize when choosing a Georgia dental event?

The Georgia Board of Dentistry requires 40 hours of CE per two-year renewal period, with a portion mandated as in-person at an on-site course or seminar. The Hinman Dental Meeting and the GDA Annual Convention are the two largest in-person options, both offering multi-session formats that allow practitioners to accumulate substantial credit in a single trip. Attendance costs extend beyond the listed registration fee. Travel and lost clinical revenue can significantly raise the total per-course expense. Consolidating CE hours at a single multi-day conference can reduce total annual CE spend.

Which Georgia dental events are best for dental hygienists?

The GDHA 97th Annual Conference is the state's dedicated in-person event for hygienists, structured specifically to address the 22-hour biennial CE requirement for licensed hygienists in Georgia. The Hinman Dental Meeting also welcomes hygienists and offers hygiene-specific sessions. For flexible CE between in-person events, GDHA webinars provide on-demand options throughout the year.

What should practice managers and DSO leaders look for in Georgia dental events?

The ADA's 2026 predictions highlight that staffing shortages affect 90% of dental practices and that overhead cost pressures are persistent, so practice-management tracks at these events carry direct operational relevance. The GDA convention's July timing at Jekyll Island also lets teams bring family.

Which Georgia dental event is best for researchers and students?

The Southeastern Dental Research Symposium is the region's principal forum for abstract and poster presentations by dental students, residents, and faculty. It draws a research-oriented audience and provides CE credit through the hosting institution. Confirmed 2026 dates have not been announced; monitor the host school's research office for registration details.

What are the most affordable Georgia dental events in 2026?

The Hinman Dental Meeting offers free access to the exhibition and meeting floor for credentialed dental professionals who register in advance, with paid courses available as add-ons. The GDA Annual Convention requires a paid registration (from $599, with a $150 member rebate), while the GDHA Annual Session registration details for 2026 are listed as TBA in July.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Events in Georgia

What dental events are in Georgia in 2026?

Georgia has four verified in-person dental events in 2026: the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting (March 12–14), the GDA Annual Convention (July 2–4), the GDHA 97th Annual Conference (September 11–12), and the Southeastern Dental Research Symposium (date TBA). Virtual CE webinars are also available year-round through the GDHA.

When is the Hinman Dental Meeting in 2026?

The 2026 Hinman Dental Meeting runs from Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Is the GDA Annual Convention in Jekyll Island or Atlanta in 2026?

The 2026 GDA Annual Convention is in Jekyll Island, not Atlanta. It runs July 2–4, 2026 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The GDA convention rotates among Georgia coastal destinations; previous years have included locations such as Amelia Island and Savannah.

How many CE hours do Georgia dentists need each renewal period?

Georgia dentists must complete 40 hours of continuing education per two-year biennium. A portion of those hours must be earned in person at an on-site course or seminar; starting with the 2024–2025 biennium, live virtual courses no longer satisfy the in-person requirement.

Are there exhibitor opportunities at Georgia dental conferences?

Yes. Both the Hinman Dental Meeting and the GDA Annual Convention include exhibit halls for dental vendors and suppliers. The GDA specifically notes that exhibitors receive dedicated hours with no competing CE, keeping face-to-face time with dental professionals uninterrupted. Exhibitor and sponsorship inquiries for the GDA convention are handled through the GDA events team.

What practice-management topics are covered at Georgia dental conferences?

Both the Hinman Dental Meeting and the GDA Annual Convention include dedicated practice-management content. Topics relevant to 2026 include staffing and hygienist recruitment, the ADA notes that 90% of dental practices find hiring hygienists very or extremely challenging, as well as overhead cost management and operational efficiency.

Where is the Georgia International Dental Show held?

The Georgia International Dental Show (GIDS) is held in Tbilisi, Georgia, the country, not the U.S. state. Its venue is Tbilisi Sea Plaza, 22 J. Lezhava Str., Tbilisi 0152. It is unrelated to U.S. dental licensure CE requirements.

What is the largest dental conference in Georgia?

The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, held each March at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, is the largest dental conference in Georgia, drawing more than 20,000 attendees annually. It is open to dentists, hygienists, assistants, and practice staff, with free exhibit-floor access for credentialed professionals who register in advance.

How do I register for the GDA Annual Convention?

Registration for the 2026 GDA Annual Convention & Expo is managed through the Georgia Dental Association's event page. Pricing starts at $599, with membership-level discounts and a $150 rebate for GDA member dentists upon badge pickup. The GDA also offers a dedicated mobile app for attendee logistics.

How many CE hours do Georgia dental hygienists need per renewal period?

Georgia-licensed dental hygienists must complete a minimum of 22 hours of continuing education per biennium to maintain licensure. The GDHA Annual Session and GDHA webinars are the primary state association resources for meeting that requirement.

Can virtual CE credits count toward Georgia dental license renewal?

Virtual CE courses can count toward Georgia's 40-hour biennial requirement for dentists, but starting with the 2024–2025 biennium, live virtual courses no longer satisfy the in-person portion of the requirement. Hygienists should confirm each course's format and accreditation status with the Georgia Board of Dentistry before relying on it for renewal.