ADHA Annual Conference 2026 Fort Worth — The Complete Guide for Dental Hygiene Professionals and Exhibitors
September 26–28, 2026 | Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas
If you work in dental hygiene — as a practicing clinician, educator, researcher, student, or industry supplier — there is one event each year that brings the entire profession together under one roof. The ADHA 2026 Annual Conference is heading to Fort Worth, Texas, and it is the largest exhibition dedicated exclusively to the dental hygiene profession in the country.
ADHA26 delivers three-plus days of forward-thinking education, hands-on clinical learning, meaningful networking, and an exhibit hall filled with the products, tools, and technologies that dental hygienists use every day. Whether you are attending to earn CE credits, discover new products, or connect with colleagues from across the country, Fort Worth in September is where the dental hygiene community comes together.
And if you are exhibiting, Interior Today LLC is ready to help you build a booth that earns the attention of every dental hygienist, student, educator, and decision-maker who walks through that exhibit hall.
What Is the ADHA Annual Conference?
The ADHA Annual Conference is the flagship event of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association — the largest national organization dedicated exclusively to the dental hygiene profession. Every year, the conference brings together registered dental hygienists, dental hygiene students, clinical educators, researchers, and industry partners from across the United States for a weekend packed with education, professional development, exhibits, and community.
ADHA26 is the 2026 edition of this annual gathering. It takes place September 26–28 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas — a city where innovation, culture, and genuine hospitality come together to create an experience that is as memorable personally as it is valuable professionally.
ADHA26 Key Dates and Details
Main Conference Dates: Saturday, September 26 – Monday, September 28, 2026
Pre-Conference Events: Friday, September 25, 2026
Venue: Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Official Website: adha.org
Housing Contact: adha@mcievents.com
Exhibit Booth Builder: hello@interiortoday.us
Meetings/Registration Contact: meetings@adha.org
Fort Worth is easy to reach from anywhere in the United States. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the country’s busiest airports with direct flights from virtually every major city. The Fort Worth Convention Center sits in the heart of vibrant downtown Fort Worth, surrounded by the city’s celebrated arts district, iconic Western heritage, and a walkable urban core full of restaurants and entertainment.
The Full ADHA26 Schedule: What Happens and When
Friday, September 25, 2026 — Pre-Conference Day
The conference officially opens the day before the main program with several important events and optional add-on sessions.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CT01: Reinvigorate Homecare — Individually Trained Oral Prophylaxis (iTOP). A six-hour hands-on session (6.0 CE credits) sponsored by Curaden USA, led by Lancette VanGuilder and Sarah Jackson along with multiple co-speakers. This deep-dive workshop covers personalized oral hygiene instruction and professional prophylaxis techniques.
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Registration Opens. Pick up your badge and materials for the days ahead.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM SP01: Educators Workshop (additional fee, $85 per person) — 4.0 CE credits. Sponsored by PDS Health and led by Cynthia Amyot, Lancette VanGuilder, and Lisa Rowley. Designed specifically for dental hygiene educators.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Advanced Implant Professional Care with Individual Trained Oral Prophylaxis — optional add-on, $125 per person, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM First-Timers Attendee Reception (invite only) — a welcoming event for first-time ADHA conference attendees.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Professional Fellows Reception (invite only) — sponsored by Philips.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM ADHA Kickoff: Smiles, Spurs and Exhibitors — the exhibit hall opens for the first time at ADHA26. This is the official kickoff evening event where attendees and exhibitors come together on the show floor for the first look at everything on display. An energizing start to the weekend that draws strong attendance.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Day 1 of Main Conference
6:30 AM – 7:15 AM Sunrise Yoga (optional add-on, $25) at the Omni Sundance Terrace.
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Multiple concurrent education sessions including Beyond Scaling: How to Elevate Your Perio Program with Lasers (1.5 CE), Human Trafficking Training for Dental Professionals (1.5 CE), and Fireside Chat: The Power of Showing Up with Poise (0.75 CE) sponsored by Aspen Dental.
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM Another concurrent session block including the ADHA Advocacy Session Update Workshop (1.5 CE), Living Guidelines and Shared Decision-Making (1.5 CE), Social Media and Scary DIY Dental Trends (1.5 CE), and The Profession’s Pulse: The Heart of Hygiene in Crisis Leadership (1.0 CE).
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM with Unopposed Hours 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM). Saturday’s exhibit hall hours are the first full daytime session on the show floor, with Unopposed Hours when no competing education sessions are scheduled — putting all attendee foot traffic directly onto the exhibit floor. Also open during this time: the Aspen Dental Puppy Play Pen, hands-on labs presented by PDT and VOCO, the Philips Education Program, and the NEXGEN Undergraduate Student Professional Presentation Program sponsored by HALEON.
3:15 PM – 5:30 PM Afternoon education sessions covering risks in patient care and liability trends (1.0 CE), oral-systemic connections in women’s health sponsored by Crest Oral-B (1.0 CE), dental therapy workforce expansion (1.0 CE), compassionate care for vulnerable populations (1.0 CE), dental unit waterlines (1.0 CE), autoimmune disease and oral health (1.0 CE), airway and myofunctional screening (1.0 CE), and professional standards and career development (1.0 CE).
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Boots and Brilliance: Awards for Excellence and President’s Dinner at the Omni Texas Ballroom. $185 per person (students $135). Includes a customized dinner menu and two drink tickets. This is one of the signature social events of the entire conference.
8:45 PM – 11:00 PM Boots and Brilliance: After Dark at the Omni Texas Ballroom. The evening celebration continues after the dinner with a dedicated party format.
Sunday, September 27, 2026 — Day 2 of Main Conference
6:00 AM – 7:00 AM Sound Bath (optional add-on, $25) at the Omni Sundance 6. A wellness experience to start the day.
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Concurrent education sessions including The Heart of Hygiene: Bringing the ADHA Mission and Vision to Life (1.0 CE), Saddling-Up for Prevention: Winning Hearts Early in Dental Hygiene Students (1.0 CE), Fireside Chat on Strategic Legislative Planning and Advocacy (0.75 CE), and the Dental Hygiene Student Cram Session: NBDHE Preparation.
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open (10:30 AM to 2:30 PM with Unopposed Hours 10:45 AM to 1:45 PM). Sunday’s exhibit hall session is the second and final full daytime floor session of ADHA26. The Aspen Dental Puppy Play Pen returns, along with hands-on labs including Advanced Implant Professional Care, Elevating Everyday Hygiene through Hands-On Laser Training (1.5 CE), Advanced Ultrasonic Techniques for curved left and right instruments (1.5 CE), OSCE Strategies for Clinical Calibration (1.0 CE), and Power and Precision in Periodontal Care Ultrasonics (1.5 CE).
2:30 PM – 4:15 PM Research Session sponsored by Dentsply Sirona (1.5 CE), Early Patterns and Lasting Impact in Pediatric Oral Risk Factors (1.5 CE), and Opportunities for Dental Hygienists to Lead Community Oral Health Systems (1.5 CE).
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Afternoon sessions on incivility and bullying in dental hygiene education (1.5 CE), biofilm and bugs in clinical practice (1.5 CE), and mobile teledentistry in public health (1.5 CE).
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM ADHA Awards Reception ($100 per person, includes hors d’oeuvres and one drink ticket).
Monday, September 28, 2026 — Final Day of Conference
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Sessions on strength, posture, and longevity in the operatory (1.5 CE), and elevating ultrasonic teaching strategies for educators (1.5 CE).
10:15 AM – 12:30 PM Sessions covering the dental hygienist’s role in preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia (1.0 CE), translating dental implant research into clinical practice (1.0 CE), dental hygienists shaping oral health policy from clinic to capitol (1.0 CE), OCMI as a whole-patient framework for oral maintenance (1.0 CE), inclusive dental hygiene care beyond the operatory (1.0 CE), and local anesthesia techniques combining compassionate care with clinical mastery (1.0 CE).
ADHA Foundation Community Service Day — Friday, September 25
Before the conference programming begins, the ADHA Foundation invites all attendees to participate in a Community Service Day in partnership with United Way and the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB).
On Friday, September 25 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM CT, volunteers will serve three hours at the Tarrant Area Food Bank Distribution Center at 2600 Cullen Street in Fort Worth — just 2.2 miles from the Fort Worth Convention Center. Volunteers will help sort, organize, and repackage food items as part of the food bank’s Quality Control process. The Tarrant Area Food Bank produces more than one million meals each week across 13 counties in North Central Texas.
To volunteer, email foundation@adha.org by 12:00 PM CT on September 11, 2026. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site.
ADHA26 Registration Options and Pricing
ADHA26 offers five pass types to fit different attendance needs and budgets. Early Bird Registration ends August 7, 2026.
Important note for 2026: Educational sessions no longer require advance sign-up or tickets. Simply arrive at your session and queue outside the room. Flossy VIP registrants receive priority entry and reserved VIP seating. General seating is first come, first served.
Flossy VIP Pass — Best Value The all-inclusive option. For ADHA members: $869 (early and standard). For non-members: $969. Includes full exhibit hall access, all education sessions, a custom Western hat (valued at $150), all networking events, Saturday and Sunday lunch vouchers, priority class pass with reserved VIP seating, the Educators’ Workshop, Awards for Excellence and President’s Dinner, a guest pass, and two After Dark drink tickets.
Prevention Pro Pass — Most Popular For ADHA members: $499 early / $599 standard. Military discount and retired member pricing: $469 early / $569 standard. For students: $215. For new professionals: $250. For non-members: $699 early / $799 standard. Includes exhibit hall access, all education sessions, networking events, and Saturday/Sunday lunch vouchers.
Hygiene Weekend Pass — Saturday and Sunday Only For ADHA members: $349 early / $459 standard. For students: $175. For non-members: $549 early / $649 standard. Includes exhibit hall and education sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Limited networking access.
Single Day Pass — Choose Saturday, Sunday, or Monday For ADHA members: $225 early / $325 standard. For students: $85. For non-members: $425 early / $525 standard.
Exhibit Hall Only Pass — Choose Saturday or Sunday $125 for ADHA members and non-members alike. Exhibit hall access only — no education sessions, no networking events.
Optional Add-Ons Guest Pass: $125. Lunch Voucher: $15 per day. After Dark Drink Ticket: $15 each. Advanced Implant Professional Care workshop (Friday, September 25): $125. Educators’ Workshop (Friday, September 25): $85. Sunrise Yoga (Saturday, September 26, 6:30 AM): $25. Sound Bath (Sunday, September 27, 6:00 AM): $25. Awards Reception (Sunday, September 27, 5:00 PM): $100 per person. Awards for Excellence and President’s Dinner (Saturday, September 26, 7:00 PM): $185 per person ($135 for students).
Exhibit Hall Dates, Hours, and Booth Pricing
The ADHA26 exhibit hall is open across three sessions over two days, plus the Friday Kickoff event — giving exhibitors multiple extended opportunities to meet dental hygiene professionals face-to-face.
Friday, September 25 — ADHA Kickoff: Smiles, Spurs and Exhibitors 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The first opening of the exhibit floor. High energy, strong attendance from early-arriving conference goers.
Saturday, September 26 — Exhibit Hall Open 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Unopposed Hours run from 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM — during this window no competing education sessions are scheduled, directing all attendee traffic onto the exhibit floor.
Sunday, September 27 — Exhibit Hall Open 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Unopposed Hours run from 10:45 AM to 1:45 PM — again with no competing sessions scheduled during this period.
Standard Booth Pricing: A 10 by 10 inline booth is $3,200. A 10 by 10 corner booth is $3,400. A 20 by 20 booth is $12,500.
What is included with your booth: Online exhibitor listing and inclusion in the conference mobile app. Exhibitor ID sign. An 8-foot draped back wall and 3-foot draped side walls. Four exhibit hall badges per 10 by 10 booth, valid for exhibit hall access and general sessions.
For exhibit, sponsorship, and marketing opportunities, ADHA26 is the single best platform for any brand looking to reach dental hygienists through high-quality education, product demonstrations, social networking events, and on-floor branding.
Where to Stay in Fort Worth for ADHA26
ADHA has negotiated discounted hotel rates at four official hotels near the Fort Worth Convention Center. Book before September 1, 2026 to lock in discounted rates. All hotels are steps from the conference venue and close to all ADHA26 events.
Omni Fort Worth Hotel (Headquarter Hotel) — $229 per night. This is the primary conference hotel where most ADHA26 networking events take place, including the Awards Dinner, After Dark, and multiple invitation-only receptions.
Fairfield Inn and Suites Fort Worth Downtown/Convention Center — $169 per night.
Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Fort Worth — $209 per night.
Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel — $215 per night.
Discounted rates are available for three days before and three days after the conference for extended stays, based on availability. Guests can cancel without penalty up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
Housing questions: adha@mcievents.com.
Important warning: ADHA26 can be a target for fraudulent companies making false offers of registration and housing reservations. Registration and housing should only be booked through the official ADHA Annual Conference website. If you receive unsolicited calls or emails offering conference deals, do not engage.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Eligible cancellations must be submitted in writing — by email to meetings@adha.net or by mail — by Friday, August 7, 2026. Phone cancellations are not accepted.
A $75 administrative fee applies to cancellations of Flossy VIP, Prevention Pro, and Hygiene Weekend packages. A $25 fee applies to student, new professional, and single-day pass cancellations. Exhibit Hall Only passes, guest passes, event tickets (After Dark drink tickets, Sunrise Yoga, Sound Bath, Lunch Vouchers, Educators’ Workshop, Advanced Implant Care session, Awards Reception, and Awards Dinner tickets) are not eligible for refunds at any time. Cancellation requests received after August 7, 2026 will not be processed.
Our Exhibition Stand Design Portfolio In Texas.
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Frequently Asked Questions About ADHA Annual Conference 2026
When and where is ADHA Annual Conference 2026?
ADHA26 takes place Saturday, September 26 through Monday, September 28, 2026 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Pre-conference events begin on Friday, September 25.
What is ADHA26?
ADHA26 is the 2026 Annual Conference of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association — the largest annual gathering dedicated exclusively to the dental hygiene profession. It brings together registered dental hygienists, students, educators, researchers, and industry partners for education, hands-on labs, networking, and the profession’s largest dedicated exhibit hall.
Who attends the ADHA Annual Conference?
Registered dental hygienists from across the United States, dental hygiene students, dental hygiene educators and program directors, clinical researchers, and industry companies that manufacture and supply products and services for the dental hygiene profession.
What are the exhibit hall hours for ADHA26?
The exhibit hall opens Friday, September 25 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for the ADHA Kickoff event. On Saturday, September 26 the hall is open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM with Unopposed Hours from 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM. On Sunday, September 27 the hall is open from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM with Unopposed Hours from 10:45 AM to 1:45 PM.
What are Unopposed Hours at ADHA26?
Unopposed Hours are specific time windows on Saturday and Sunday when no competing education sessions are scheduled on the conference program. During these windows, all attendee traffic flows directly to the exhibit hall — maximizing foot traffic and face time for exhibitors.
What is the booth pricing at ADHA26?
A 10 by 10 inline booth is $3,200. A 10 by 10 corner booth is $3,400. A 20 by 20 booth is $12,500. Each booth includes an exhibitor listing, ID sign, draped back wall, draped side walls, and four exhibit hall badges per 10 by 10 space.
What registration options are available for ADHA26?
Five pass types are available: Flossy VIP (best value, $869 for ADHA members), Prevention Pro (most popular, from $499 early for members), Hygiene Weekend (Saturday and Sunday only, from $349 early for members), Single Day (from $225 early for members), and Exhibit Hall Only ($125). Early Bird pricing ends August 7, 2026.
What is included in the Flossy VIP Pass?
Full exhibit hall and education access, a custom Western hat valued at $150, all networking events, Saturday and Sunday lunch vouchers, priority class pass with reserved VIP seating, the Educators’ Workshop, Awards for Excellence and President’s Dinner, a guest pass, and two After Dark drink tickets.
What is the ADHA26 registration cancellation deadline?
Eligible cancellations must be submitted in writing by August 7, 2026. A $75 fee applies to most full-conference packages and a $25 fee applies to student and single-day passes. Most add-on tickets are not eligible for refunds.
What education is available at ADHA26?
ADHA26 features dozens of CE-accredited education sessions across clinical practice, advocacy, public health, research, and education. Topics include periodontal care, laser dentistry, ultrasonic techniques, airway and myofunctional therapy, oral-systemic health connections, implant care, pediatric oral health, community public health, workforce policy, practice management, and more. Hands-on labs run directly on the exhibit floor during open hours.
What hotels are near the Fort Worth Convention Center for ADHA26?
ADHA has negotiated discounted rates at four hotels: the Omni Fort Worth Hotel ($229 per night), Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Fort Worth ($209), Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel ($215), and Fairfield Inn and Suites Fort Worth Downtown ($169). Book by September 1, 2026 through official ADHA housing channels.
What is Community Service Day at ADHA26?
On Friday, September 25 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the ADHA Foundation invites conference attendees to volunteer at the Tarrant Area Food Bank Distribution Center (2600 Cullen Street, Fort Worth) in partnership with United Way. Email foundation@adha.net by September 11 at 12:00 PM CT to commit.
What are the Awards for Excellence and President’s Dinner at ADHA26?
This is one of the signature social events of the conference, held Saturday evening September 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Omni Texas Ballroom. It includes a customized dinner menu and two drink tickets. Tickets are $185 per person and $135 for students. The After Dark party follows from 8:45 PM to 11:00 PM.
How do I build a custom booth for ADHA Annual Conference 2026?
Contact Interior Today LLC. We specialize in designing and building custom trade show booths for exhibitors at professional healthcare and dental industry events including the ADHA Annual Conference. We manage the complete process from design through on-site installation at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Reach out early — our production schedule fills ahead of major shows.
How do I protect myself from ADHA26 housing and registration scams?
Only register and book hotel rooms through the official ADHA Annual Conference website. ADHA and its official housing partner MCI USA are the only authorized booking channels. If you receive unsolicited calls, emails, or advertisements offering ADHA26 deals, do not respond or share payment information. Contact adha@mcievents.com with any housing questions.
Build Your ADHA26 Exhibit Booth with Interior Today LLC
This is where Interior Today LLC becomes your most important partner for Fort Worth.
We design and build custom trade show booths and exhibition stands for companies exhibiting at healthcare, dental, and professional industry events — and we understand what it takes to earn attention and start real conversations in a room full of dental hygiene professionals.
At ADHA26, you are not competing for the attention of a general audience. Every person who walks through the Fort Worth Convention Center exhibit hall is a registered dental hygienist, a dental hygiene student, a dental hygiene educator, or a clinical professional — people who know the products in their field intimately and evaluate exhibitors with a highly trained professional eye.
Your booth needs to communicate trust, clinical credibility, and product quality from the moment someone walks past it. It needs to invite those professionals in, make them feel comfortable asking questions, and create the environment where your team can have the kind of conversations that turn into business.
That is exactly what Interior Today LLC builds.
What we bring to your ADHA26 exhibit:
We design around your product and your professional audience. Whether you are showcasing a new oral hygiene product, a clinical instrument, a practice management technology, a dental materials innovation, or a professional education program, we build your stand to communicate what makes your company the right choice for dental hygiene professionals.
We handle everything from the design concept through full installation at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Your team arrives ready to demonstrate, educate, and connect — not worn out from setup logistics.
We design for the dental hygiene conference environment specifically. This is a community-focused professional audience. They respond to clear product presentation, approachable booth design, and a display that feels as professional as the people staffing it. We build with that standard in mind.
We work within your timeline and budget. Whether this is your first ADHA conference or you are a returning exhibitor ready to make a stronger statement in Fort Worth, Interior Today LLC has the experience and solutions to deliver.
Contact Interior Today LLC today to begin planning your ADHA26 exhibit booth. The Unopposed Hours on Saturday and Sunday put all conference attendees directly on the exhibit floor — you need a booth that earns their attention the moment they walk in. Reach out early so we have the time to design and build something that genuinely performs.
Final Thoughts
The ADHA Annual Conference 2026 in Fort Worth is the single most important event for everyone in the dental hygiene profession and the dental hygiene industry. Whether you are a practicing hygienist looking for CE credits, a student preparing to enter the profession, an educator shaping the next generation of clinicians, or a company looking to reach the most concentrated audience of dental hygiene professionals in the country — ADHA26 is where it all happens.
The Unopposed Hours on Saturday and Sunday put thousands of dental hygiene professionals directly on the exhibit floor with nowhere else to be. A professional, well-designed exhibit booth in that environment is one of the most efficient ways to generate awareness, build brand trust, and create the conversations that lead to real business outcomes.
Do not leave that opportunity to a display that does not match the quality of what you sell. Partner with Interior Today LLC and show up in Fort Worth with a booth that reflects the professionalism of your brand and earns the respect of dental hygiene professionals who know exactly what good looks like.
Let us build something excellent together for Fort Worth 2026.
Interior Today LLC is a professional trade show booth builder serving exhibitors at major healthcare, dental, and professional industry events across the United States. Contact us today to begin planning your ADHA Annual Conference 2026 exhibit stand.
