Michigan's dental calendar for 2026 runs from February through November, with events spread across Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Detroit, and the northern Lower Peninsula. This list covers five verified dental events in Michigan: three Michigan Dental Association–organized sessions, a Detroit district society day conference, and Ann Arbor–based continuing education from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. The mix includes a statewide convention with a trade show and two smaller scientific sessions. It also covers a single-day district conference and a university CE catalog.

Key Takeaways

• The MDA Annual Session in Grand Rapids (April 30–May 2, 2026) is Michigan's largest dental gathering, with a large number of dental professionals expected and over 100 exhibits.
• The MDA runs two smaller scientific sessions in early 2026, one in February at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville and one in spring at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City.
• The Detroit District Dental Society's DET2026 Conference is scheduled for November 6, 2026, offering a focused single-day CE program in the Detroit metro area.
• The University of Michigan School of Dentistry runs an ongoing CE catalog in Ann Arbor covering hands-on workshops, online courses, and lecture programs for dentists, hygienists, and auxiliaries.
• District dental society websites, Detroit, West Michigan, and Washtenaw, carry local programming details beyond the MDA's statewide calendar.
• The April–May window is Michigan's most concentrated period for dental events in 2026, with the MDA Annual Session scheduled during that time; practices planning conference attendance should account for potential staffing gaps during that window.

Michigan's 2026 dental event calendar includes five verified events: the MDA Annual Session (Grand Rapids, April 30–May 2), MDA Winter Scientific Session (Thompsonville, February 6–7), MDA Spring Scientific Session (Traverse City, dates TBC), DET2026 Conference (Detroit, November 6), and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry's ongoing CE catalog in Ann Arbor.

1. MDA Annual Session 2026

When: April 30 – May 2, 2026 (move-in April 29; expo hours: April 30 noon–6 p.m., May 1 9 a.m.–6 p.m.)

Where: DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Who it's for: Dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, practice managers, DSO leaders, and dental vendors

CE credits: CE credit available in the exhibit hall, subject to restrictions, per the 2026 exhibitor prospectus

Cost: Exhibitor booth packages require a deposit per booth space (see the 2026 exhibitor prospectus); attendee registration pricing is published by the MDA

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The MDA Annual Session is Michigan's flagship dental meeting. The Detroit District Dental Society calendar describes it as Michigan's largest dental continuing education event with over 100 exhibits. DeVos Place offers 162,000 square feet of exhibit space and is located 15 minutes from Gerald R. Ford Airport, making it accessible from across the state. The 2025 Annual Session, held in Detroit, drew approximately 1,800 dental professionals and hosted 112 exhibitors, giving a baseline for scale; the 2026 exhibitor prospectus lists expected attendance of more than 3,000 dental professionals.

2. MDA Winter Scientific Session 2026

When: February 6–7, 2026

Where: Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, MI 49683 (per the MDA events page)

Who it's for: Dentists and dental team members seeking in-person CE in a resort setting

CE credits: Published per the MDA's CE Live In-Person program; specific credit hours listed on the MDA event page

Cost: Published on the MDA events page; contact the MDA Continuing Education Department at 517-346-9402 for registration details

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The Winter Scientific Session is a two-day program at Crystal Mountain Resort in the northern Lower Peninsula. It is part of the MDA's CE Live: In-Person series, which publishes fees, dates, locations, and CE credit hours for each session. The resort setting attracts practitioners who want to combine clinical education with time away from the office during the slower February period. Because this event was scheduled for February 2026, registration has likely closed; check the MDA website for any future editions.

3. MDA Spring Scientific Session 2026

When: Dates not confirmed in verified sources for 2026, check the official MDA Spring Scientific Session page for current scheduling

Where: Great Wolf Lodge, 3575 N. U.S. Highway 31 S., Traverse City, MI 49684

Who it's for: Dentists, hygienists, and dental team members

CE credits: Published by the MDA Continuing Education Department; check the event page for credit hours

Cost: Published on the MDA events page

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The Spring Scientific Session is held at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, a northern Michigan resort destination. The location makes it a practical option for dental professionals who want concentrated CE time away from their practices. Traverse City is accessible from most Michigan markets within a day's drive. For confirmed 2026 dates, the MDA Continuing Education Department at 517-346-9402 is the authoritative contact.

4. DET2026 Conference

When: Friday, November 6, 2026, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Detroit – Dearborn, 5801 Southfield Freeway, Detroit, MI 48228

Who it's for: Detroit-area dental professionals; organized by the Detroit District Dental Society

CE credits: Not confirmed in available sources

Cost: Check the Eventbrite listing for current ticket pricing

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The DET2026 Conference is a single-day event organized by the Detroit District Dental Society, running from early morning to late afternoon at a Dearborn hotel convenient to the Detroit metro area. The district society format keeps the audience local and the program focused. It falls in November, well outside the spring busy season, which makes it a lower-disruption option for practices that sent staff to the Annual Session earlier in the year. Dental students in D3 and D4 years receive free admission to multiple Detroit District Dental Society events, making this calendar worth monitoring for academic attendees as well.

5. University of Michigan School of Dentistry Continuing Education

When: Ongoing; courses scheduled throughout 2026

Where: University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI (also virtual options)

Who it's for: Dentists, hygienists, and dental auxiliaries at all career stages

CE credits: Many courses offer ADA CERP–recognized CE credit (per the U-M School of Dentistry CE program)

Cost: Varies by course; published in the CE catalog

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry's continuing education catalog covers hands-on workshops, lecture courses, and online programs in specialties including restorative dentistry, periodontics, and practice management. The Ann Arbor campus is centrally located in southeast Michigan, and virtual options extend access to practitioners across the state.

This program operates year-round and allows practitioners to earn credits on a rolling basis rather than concentrating CE into a single event.

How to Choose the Right Michigan Dental Event for Your Needs

Selecting the right event depends on your role, how many CE credits you need, your budget, and how much time away from the practice you can afford.

Which Michigan dental event offers the most CE credits?

The MDA Annual Session is the most practical single-event choice for accumulating a large number of CE credits within a short period. Its exhibit hall CE, lecture tracks, and table clinics run across three days. For dentists who cannot attend the Annual Session, the University of Michigan's CE catalog allows credits to be earned year-round through shorter courses.

What dental events work for hygienists and team members?

The MDA scientific sessions and the DET2026 Conference are both structured to include the full dental team, not just dentists. The U-M CE program explicitly serves hygienists and auxiliaries. Any of these events work for team-wide professional development.

Which events are best for practice managers and DSO leaders?

The MDA Annual Session is the primary networking event for practices evaluating vendors and technology. The exhibit hall, which drew over 100 exhibitors in 2025, gives decision-makers direct access to dental supply, technology, and software vendors in one place. Grand Rapids is a regional meetings hub, with the metropolitan area hosting over 200 meetings and conventions annually.

Which Michigan dental event is best for exhibitors and vendors?

The MDA Annual Session is the primary exhibitor opportunity in Michigan. Booth assignments are made on a first-come basis via the MDA's online application. The exhibitor prospectus outlines a deposit requirement per booth; applications go directly to the MDA office in Okemos. The 2026 booth package includes a mobile scanning app for lead retrieval and access to the MDA's full member mailing list.

What are the best Michigan dental events for practitioners on a limited budget?

District society events such as DET2026 typically carry lower registration costs than statewide conventions. The University of Michigan CE catalog offers individual course registration, which avoids paying for a full multi-day conference when only a single credit area is needed.

Final Verdict

For Michigan dental practices attending events in 2026, the calendar spans February through November across Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Detroit, and Ann Arbor. The spring window around the MDA Annual Session is the most staff-intensive period, with a large number of dental professionals expected at DeVos Place in April and May. When front desk staff travel to any of these events, inbound patient calls go unanswered. Resonate's 24/7 AI dental receptionist answers calls, responds to missed calls by text, and books appointments directly into your practice management system so no patient opportunity is lost while your team is at a conference.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Events in Michigan

When is the MDA Annual Session 2026?

The 2026 MDA Annual Session runs April 30 through May 2, 2026, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. The exhibit hall opens at noon on April 30 and runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 1, per the 2026 exhibitor prospectus.

Where is the 2026 MDA Winter Scientific Session held?

The 2026 MDA Winter Scientific Session was held at Crystal Mountain Resort, 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, MI 49683, on February 6–7, 2026.

How do I find Michigan dental continuing education events?

The Michigan Dental Association website is the primary resource for statewide dental events, while district society websites in Detroit, West Michigan, and Washtenaw carry local programming. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry's CE catalog at dent.umich.edu/ce lists year-round courses with ADA CERP–recognized credit.

Are there dental society meetings in Detroit in 2026?

Yes. The DET2026 Conference, organized by the Detroit District Dental Society, is scheduled for November 6, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Detroit – Dearborn, 5801 Southfield Freeway, Detroit, MI 48228.

Which Michigan dental events are best for exhibitors?

The MDA Annual Session at DeVos Place is Michigan's primary trade show opportunity for dental vendors. Exhibitors apply through the MDA directly; see the 2026 prospectus for full details.

How do I register for Michigan dental conferences in 2026?

Registration for MDA-organized events goes through the MDA; for the Annual Session, applications are submitted via the Annual Session Exhibitors portal and may be sent by mail, email, or fax to the MDA office in Okemos, Michigan. The DET2026 Conference lists registration through its Eventbrite page. For U-M CE courses, registration is handled through the School of Dentistry CE office.

What CE credit options are available at Michigan dental events in 2026?

The MDA Annual Session offers CE on the exhibit hall floor and through lecture tracks. The MDA Winter and Spring Scientific Sessions are part of the CE Live: In-Person series with published credit hours. The University of Michigan's CE program offers ADA CERP–recognized credits year-round. The West Michigan District Dental Society also promotes local CE events and member gatherings for dentists in the Grand Rapids region.

Is the MDA Annual Session open to dental hygienists and assistants?

Yes. The MDA Annual Session is designed for the full dental team, including dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and practice managers. CE credit is available in the exhibit hall and through lecture tracks, subject to restrictions outlined in the 2026 exhibitor prospectus.