North Carolina dental professionals heading into 2026 have at least eight verified events to plan around, spanning major conferences, specialty society meetings, a non-dues revenue strategy event, and foundation-run Missions of Mercy clinics.

‍

Whether the goal is license renewal hours, clinical training, advocacy, or community service, the 2026 calendar offers options across Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and Chapel Hill, from the state society's flagship three-day meeting in Raleigh to a public health conference in Asheville and free-care volunteer clinics running through October.

Key Takeaways

• The largest state-level gathering for 2026 is the NC Dental Society Statewide Leadership Summit, scheduled April 30 – May 2 in Raleigh, replacing the traditional Annual Session format.
• The NCAGD Annual Meeting (February 27–28, Charlotte) is the first major clinical CE event of the year and offers 7 hours of AGD PACE-approved CE.
• The North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners requires dentists to complete 15 CE hours annually and hygienists to complete at least 6; most major NC conferences offer ADA CERP-recognized credits. Both dentists and hygienists must also complete one clock hour of CE on substance abuse and mental health every two years.
• Registration fees typically differ for NCDS/NCAGD members versus non-members, and for government versus non-government attendees; verify current fee schedules directly with each organizer.
• The busy conference season falls between February and May, with the NCDHHS public health event running in August; foundation clinics continue through October.
• NC Dental Society Foundation MOM clinics are free for patients and staffed by volunteers; volunteer dentists and hygienists may be eligible for CE credit through approved channels.

2026 North Carolina Dental Events at a Glance

1. NCAGD Annual Meeting 2026

When: February 27–28, 2026

Where: The Ballantyne, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277

Who it's for: General dentists; NCAGD states the courses are designated for general dentists and may not be suitable for specialists seeking specialty-specific training.

CE credits: 7 hours of CE credit for completion of the Saturday course, approved for AGD PACE CE.

Cost: Tiered registration, reduced fees for NCAGD/AGD members versus non-members; separate pricing for dental students and team members. Check the NCAGD site for current figures.

‍

The NCAGD Annual Meeting is organized by the North Carolina Academy of General Dentistry as its state-level professional gathering, combining CE courses with organizational business. The 2026 keynote clinical course is titled "Mastering Comprehensive Dentistry," presented by Dr. John Nosti, with a focus on diagnosis, treatment planning, and occlusion for complex restorative cases. A Friday evening networking reception at The Ballantyne is included in general registration, and attendance for the main clinical course is intentionally limited to keep the setting more focused than large national conventions.

2. NC Dental 2026 Golden Opportunities Non-Dues Revenue Conference

When: March 29–31, 2026

Where: AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, 10 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Who it's for: Dental association leaders and staff focused on non-dues revenue strategy.

CE credits: Not published on the verified listing.

Cost: Not published on the verified listing.

‍

The NC Dental Golden Opportunities Conference is framed specifically as a non-dues revenue conference for state dental organizations, addressing how associations can develop revenue streams beyond membership dues. The Asheville venue, the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, is listed as the official host site. Dental association executives and staff involved in business development and organizational planning are the primary attendees. The conference program focuses on non-dues revenue strategy for association executives and staff rather than clinical CE topics.

3. NC Dental Society Statewide Leadership Summit 2026

When: April 30 – May 2, 2026

Where: Raleigh, North Carolina (hotel accommodations available to book; venue details on the NCDS site)

Who it's for: Dentists, hygienists, assistants, office staff, and dental society members across North Carolina.

CE credits: The NC Dental Society Annual Session has historically offered more than 70 CE courses with up to 18 CE credits; confirm the 2026 Summit's specific CE programming with NCDS directly.

Cost: Member and non-member pricing published by NCDS; check the NCDS event listing for current registration fees.

‍

Beginning in 2026, the North Carolina Dental Society is rebranding its traditional Annual Session into the Statewide Leadership Summit. The three-day event combines the House of Delegates, advocacy programming, leadership development, and community-building. Raleigh replaces the coastal Myrtle Beach, South Carolina venue the society historically used at Kingston Resorts. The move to the state capital ties the event more directly to policy advocacy alongside the clinical and organizational programming.

‍

The 2024 Annual Session offered more than 60 CE courses over three days, and the Summit format is expected to carry forward a similarly broad course offering. The NCDS also holds an annual Oral Health Day at the NC General Assembly, which in 2023 brought more than 300 participants to Raleigh to advocate for oral health policy.

4. Oral Health Section 2026 Conference in the Mountains

When: August 5–6, 2026

Where: Asheville, North Carolina; hotel accommodations available at Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village, 117 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC (room rate: $148/night, room block for August dates).

Who it's for: Dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, auxiliary staff, public health professionals, and educators, as listed by the NCDHHS Oral Health Section.

CE credits: Structured as a formal continuing education event; the program runs 1–5 p.m. on Wednesday and 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Thursday. Confirm credit hours with the organizer.

Cost: Tiered by attendee type, government employees, non-government employees, and students each have separate registration fees. See the official NCDHHS event page for current figures.

‍

Organized by the North Carolina Division of Public Health Oral Health Section, this two-day conference covers public health topics including community water fluoridation, tobacco prevention, silver diamine fluoride, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mother/baby birth defects, and orofacial myofunctional topics.

‍

The event explicitly targets state staff and government employees, though non-government dental professionals may also attend at a different fee tier. The curriculum is oriented toward public health dental staff and educators rather than clinical restorative or implant topics.

5. NC Dental Society Foundation Missions of Mercy (MOM) Clinics

When: Multiple dates through 2026; Gastonia MOM Clinic confirmed for October 2026 at City Church, 3100 City Church St., Gastonia, NC.

Where: Locations across North Carolina, including Gastonia; check the NC Dental Society Foundation events page for the current schedule.

Who it's for: Volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and community volunteers; patients are underserved adults with no dental insurance or limited financial resources.

CE credits: Volunteer dental professionals may be eligible for CE credit for approved pro bono services through NC Dental Society Foundation MOM clinics, subject to Board rules, per NC Caring Dental's coverage of licensure updates. NC dental licensees must report any CE hours claimed for volunteer service at license renewal.

Cost: Free for patients; no registration fee listed for volunteers on the foundation's verified page.

‍

The NC Dental Society Foundation operates the Missions of Mercy program as a mobile free dental clinic model traveling across North Carolina. MOM clinics typically run over one or two days and provide services including cleanings, fillings, and extractions, staffed entirely by volunteers. The foundation lists multiple community dental clinics across the state as ongoing resources, including the North Carolina Dental Health Fund Hickory Clinic (31 1st Ave SE, Hickory) and the North Carolina Dental Health Fund Charlotte Clinic (7839 Idlewild Rd, Charlotte). For dental teams wanting to contribute clinically while logging eligible CE hours, MOM clinics represent an alternative to conference registration fees.

6. UNC Adams School of Dentistry Continuing Education

When: Ongoing throughout 2026; specific course dates published on the UNC CE courses page.

Where: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, part of the Research Triangle region.

Who it's for: Practicing dental professionals at all career stages; courses are categorized by format (lecture, hands-on participation, online).

CE credits: Published per course; the UNC Adams School of Dentistry CE program lists credit hours and course format for each offering. The Department of Endodontics periodically hosts an Endodontics Symposium offering lectures and case-based presentations for general dentists and endodontic specialists.

Cost: Varies by course; check the UNC CE catalog for individual pricing.

‍

The UNC Adams School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill operates one of the state's primary university-based CE programs, offering live courses, symposia, and online options across specialties. Course listings specify whether an activity is an in-person conference, a one-day seminar, a hands-on workshop, or an online webinar, and list credit hours accordingly. For dentists and hygienists who prefer university-affiliated programming with faculty oversight, the UNC CE catalog is worth monitoring throughout the year rather than on a single event date.

7. ECU School of Dental Medicine Continuing Education Symposia

When: Dates announced on an ongoing basis; check the ECU CE symposia page for current offerings.

Where: Greenville, North Carolina (East Carolina University campus and affiliated sites).

Who it's for: Community-based faculty and practicing dentists across North Carolina.

CE credits: Published per symposium; check the ECU CE page for credit hours.

Cost: Varies; check the ECU site for registration fees per event.

‍

The East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine sponsors continuing education symposia and conferences across North Carolina to support community-based faculty and practicing dentists. The program is particularly relevant for dental professionals in eastern and rural regions of the state, where the NCDHHS has noted that statewide dental meetings are a primary source of face-to-face CE and networking for dentists who otherwise have limited access to specialist colleagues. ECU's community health mission shapes the symposia content toward clinically practical topics.

8. North Carolina Dental Hygienists' Association Annual Session

When: Dates for the 2026 Annual Session have not yet been announced; monitor the NCDHA licensure and events page for updates.

Where: TBD.

Who it's for: Licensed dental hygienists and hygiene students across North Carolina.

CE credits: The NCDHA Annual Session includes educational programming with CE credit. North Carolina dental hygienists are required to complete a minimum of 6 CE hours annually plus maintain valid CPR with a live hands-on component. Hygienists with limited supervision public health licenses must also complete 6 additional CE hours annually in dental office medical emergencies.

Cost: Not yet published for 2026.

‍

The North Carolina Dental Hygienists' Association is the statewide professional organization representing dental hygienists, providing licensure information, CE resources, and advocacy. The Annual Session brings together hygienists and students from across the state for professional development, featuring speakers and hands-on workshops as part of its educational programming. Hygienists seeking to meet their 6-hour annual CE requirement through live in-person formats should watch the NCDHA calendar closely, as the Annual Session is a primary in-state option. Hygienists should confirm with NCDHA whether substance abuse and mental health CE counts within the 6-hour annual requirement.

9. AADOM Annual Convention 2026 (National Event, Relevant to NC Practices)

When: September 3–5, 2026

Where: Location not confirmed in the verified source; check AADOM directly.

Who it's for: Dental office managers and practice administrators.

CE credits: Not published in the verified source.

Cost: Not published in the verified source.

‍

The American Association of Dental Office Management holds its annual convention each fall and is recognized as a major conference for dental practice administrators. While not a North Carolina-based event, it appears on national lists of conferences relevant to dental practice teams. North Carolina practice managers weighing the travel cost against local options should compare programming with the NCDS Statewide Leadership Summit, which covers organizational and advocacy content closer to home.

What Are the NC CE Requirements Dental Professionals Need to Meet?

North Carolina dental professionals must meet annual CE requirements set by the NC Board of Dental Examiners. Dentists need 15 hours; hygienists need at least 6.

‍

North Carolina dentists must complete 15 CE hours annually for license renewal, with specific limits on practice management and self-study hours ensuring most CE focuses on clinical patient care. Dentists licensed after January 1, 2019 must also complete a six-hour Professionalism and Ethics course offered by the NC Dental Society. Both dentists and hygienists must complete one clock hour of CE on substance abuse and mental health every two years, available via self-study from a Board-approved sponsor.

‍

Approved CE sponsors include ADA CERP-recognized providers, the Academy of General Dentistry, and components of national dental associations. The ADA's CERP program requires providers to differentiate between lecture, participation (hands-on workshop), and distance learning formats. When evaluating a conference's CE offering, check whether credits are lecture-only or include hands-on components, particularly if your renewal requirements specify format types.

‍

Hygienists should note that CPR certification must include a live hands-on component and does not count toward the 6 required CE hours. Hygienists may also complete all 6 annual CE hours via home study from approved sponsors, though many find in-person conferences more practical for networking alongside fulfilling the requirement.

How to Choose a Dental Conference in North Carolina

What Career Stage and Role Should Guide Your Choice?

Dentists new to practice prioritize clinical CE hours and exposure to comprehensive treatment planning. The NCAGD Annual Meeting's focused format with a single clinical course track is structured for that goal. The UNC Adams School of Dentistry CE catalog offers a range of hands-on participation formats across specialties year-round.

‍

Hygienists will find the NCDHA Annual Session is the statewide hygiene-focused CE event; 2026 dates have not yet been announced. The public health Oral Health Section conference in Asheville is relevant for hygienists working in community settings.

‍

Practice managers and DSO administrators may note that the NCDS Statewide Leadership Summit includes advocacy and leadership development tracks alongside clinical programming. The AADOM Annual Convention is a national conference for dental office management professionals held each fall and requires out-of-state travel.

‍

Specialists should evaluate whether specialty-specific content is offered before registering for general dentist conferences. The NCAGD Annual Meeting notes its courses are designated for general dentists and may not be suitable for specialist training.

Which Events Best Satisfy Your CE Requirements?

The NCAGD Annual Meeting offers 7 approved CE hours. UNC Adams School of Dentistry and ECU School of Dental Medicine both publish additional CE courses throughout the year with varying credit totals and formats. Home study from approved sponsors can supplement any remaining hours. Hygienists with the standard 6-hour requirement can fulfill hours at the NCDHA Annual Session alone, or spread them across approved home study and in-person events.

How Do Costs Compare Across Events?

Registration fees vary meaningfully between member and non-member tiers at society events. NCDS and NCAGD members typically pay less than non-members. MOM clinic volunteerism provides an alternative path to potentially eligible CE hours at no registration cost, though Board reporting requirements apply. The NCDHHS Oral Health Section conference uses tiered pricing for government employees, non-government attendees, and students. Attendees who are not state government employees pay a different rate.

Which Events Are Closest to Your Practice?

Charlotte-area practices can reach both the NCAGD Annual Meeting at The Ballantyne (February) and the NCDS Statewide Leadership Summit in Raleigh (April–May) within the same conference season without extended travel. Asheville hosts two distinct events in 2026, the non-dues revenue conference in March and the public health conference in August. Practices in eastern North Carolina may find the ECU CE symposia in Greenville the most accessible university option given the geographic distance to Chapel Hill.

Keep Your Practice Running While Your Team Is at a Conference

When dentists and front-desk staff are away at a dental conference in North Carolina, missed calls compound during training events. Resonate's AI dental receptionist answers inbound calls, responds to missed calls via text, and handles website inquiries 24/7. It books appointments directly into your practice management system even when the entire team is in a conference session. Resonate works alongside your team, extending coverage without replacing the people who attend these events.

‍

Book a Demo to see how Resonate keeps patient opportunities from falling through while your practice invests in professional development.

Final Verdict

North Carolina dental professionals have a full 2026 calendar to work with, from the NCAGD Annual Meeting in February to MOM clinics running through October. The challenge isn't finding events; it's keeping the practice productive while the team is away. Resonate's AI dental receptionist answers inbound calls, responds to missed calls via text, and books appointments directly into your practice management system 24/7, so patient opportunities don't fall through during conference season.

‍

Book a demo →

Frequently Asked Questions

What dental conferences are being held in North Carolina in 2026?

North Carolina has at least eight verified dental events in 2026: the NCAGD Annual Meeting (February, Charlotte), the NC Dental Golden Opportunities conference (March, Asheville), the NCDS Statewide Leadership Summit (April–May, Raleigh), the NCDHHS Oral Health Section Conference in the Mountains (August, Asheville), NC Dental Society Foundation MOM clinics including Gastonia in October, and ongoing CE programs at UNC Adams School of Dentistry and ECU School of Dental Medicine. The NCDHA Annual Session has not yet published 2026 dates.

Where is the North Carolina Dental 2026 Golden Opportunities Non-Dues Revenue Conference taking place?

The North Carolina Dental 2026 Golden Opportunities Non-Dues Revenue Conference is scheduled for March 29–31, 2026, at the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, 10 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801.

When is the NCAGD Annual Meeting 2026 in Charlotte?

The NCAGD Annual Meeting 2026 is scheduled for February 27–28, 2026, at The Ballantyne, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277. Registration includes a Friday evening reception and Saturday clinical courses offering 7 AGD PACE CE hours.

What are the continuing education requirements for dentists in North Carolina?

North Carolina dentists must complete 15 CE hours annually, with limits on practice management and self-study content. Both dentists and hygienists must complete one CE hour on substance abuse and mental health every two years, per Board rules. Hygienists need a minimum of 6 CE hours annually plus current CPR with a live hands-on component.

Are there volunteer opportunities at NC dental events that count toward CE credits?

Yes. Volunteer dentists and hygienists may earn CE credit for approved pro bono services through NC Dental Society Foundation Missions of Mercy clinics, subject to NC State Board of Dental Examiners rules. CE hours claimed through volunteer service must be reported to the Board at license renewal. Registration for the clinics as a volunteer is managed through the NC Dental Society Foundation.

How do I choose which dental conferences to attend in 2026?

Start with your CE requirement and credit format needs. The NCAGD Annual Meeting offers 7 AGD PACE hours in a clinical lecture/participation format, while UNC and ECU university programs offer hands-on workshop formats year-round. The NCDHA Annual Session is organized for hygienists. The NCDS Statewide Leadership Summit is open to all dental professionals and includes governance and advocacy programming. The Golden Opportunities conference is designed for dental association executives and staff focused on non-dues revenue strategy. Factor in member versus non-member registration costs when budgeting for multiple events in the same year.

What national dental conferences should North Carolina practices consider in 2026?

The AADOM Annual Convention (September 3–5, 2026) is a national conference for dental office managers, drawing practice administrators from across the country. The ADA lists state and district meetings for North Carolina members seeking additional options. The Academy of General Dentistry also holds annual scientific sessions offering multi-format CE at the national level for general dentists seeking content beyond state options.