SmileCon FAQ
What is SmileCon?
SmileCon® is the ADA’s reimagined annual meeting, offering continuing education, networking opportunities, hundreds of exhibitors, social events and fun!
Where and when is SmileCon 2024?
SmileCon 2024 will take place on Oct. 17–19 in New Orleans, LA, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
When does registration open?
Registration opens May 8 at SmileCon.org.
What are my SmileCon Pass options?
There are four pass options to meet your needs. Packages can be viewed on the Registration page.
What type of evening and social events are planned?
The Smile Squad is hard at work planning some SPIRITED fun. Get into that Mardi Gras vibe and indulge in New Orleans’ best music and nibbles at Friday night’s Bouncin’ in the Bayou Fest, 5-7 p.m. On Saturday at SmileCon, we bring back those college football Saturdays with a Tailgate party in Dental Central from 1-2:30 p.m. Later that night, the ADA Foundation is hosting the Give Veterans A Smile Celebration Event and Fundraiser. Learn more on the Play page.
Will there be any alumni and affiliate groups at SmileCon?
Yes, there will be alumni receptions and affiliate group meetings in conjunction with SmileCon. View alumni events and affiliate meetings on the Meet page.
What are the dates for the House of Delegates?
Oct. 19-22. Learn more about the House of Delegates here.
How can I register for SmileCon?
Registration opens May 8 at 9 a.m. CT at SmileCon.org. Compare pass options and rates on the Registration page.
Early bird discounts end May 31 at 5 p.m. CT. The Advanced deadline is Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. CT. After Sept. 20, the Standard rate will apply. Registrations are not accepted over the phone, via fax or by mail, sorry.
Will my registration materials be sent in the mail?
No, registration materials will not be sent by mail. All badges must be picked up onsite at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. We recommend stopping by Registration on Wednesday, Oct. 16 between 1-5 p.m. to avoid long lines on Thursday morning.
Where do I pick up my badge?
Registration and badge pickup will be in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall E Lobby.
Can I register onsite?
Yes; however, we recommend pre-registering to get your first choice of continuing education and to avoid long lines onsite. A photo I.D. is required for all onsite registrations. If applicable, please bring your student I.D.
Pre-registration is required for all CE outside of Dental Central, so secure your seat before they fill up!
How do I make a change to my already submitted registration?
Please log back into your account using the Registration ID you received in your confirmation email from ADA SmileCon Meeting Customer Service. Once you are logged back in, you can update your information, add or change courses and events, and complete your registration again. You will then receive a new confirmation email showing the changes you made.
I cannot attend SmileCon and need a refund, how do I do that?
All refund requests must be sent no later than Sept. 20, 2024 to ada@maritz.com. Registration and course cancellation/refund requests must be in writing.
For a full list of refund policies, please visit the Registration page.
Can I add my dental team or guests to my registration?
Yes, you can add additional dentists, dental team members, students and guests to your registration in the online registration system. Log back into your account and select the appropriate registration category on the dashboard.
I am a dental office staff member; can I attend without my doctor?
Yes, dental staff can register and attend SmileCon without being connected to a registered dentist. When registering, please select “Dental Team” as your registration category.
Can I bring my family to the meeting?
Yes, we would love to have your family join you in New Orleans! Once you complete your registration you will have the option to add friends and family. Friends and family will have three options for registration: One-Day Hall Pass, Dental Central Pass or Evening Events Only Pass. Friends and family are not eligible to attend continuing education. If your friends and family are also office staff members, they will need to be registered in the correct category.
Children are also permitted in course rooms without a ticket; however, they may not register for a course or occupy a seat. Strollers are not permitted inside course rooms.
Is there childcare during SmileCon?
The ADA does not provide childcare. However, some official ADA hotels do offer childcare services. Please check with your booked hotel’s concierge for recommendations of these services.
What is the CE course schedule?
View courses, speaker and event details in the Agenda Builder.
How do I register to attend a course?
Pre-registration is required for all Presentations outside of Dental Central, Hands-On Activities, Master Classes and Mainstage Sessions for Smile Pass and Platinum Smile Pass holders. Pre-registration is not required for any CE in Dental Central and is first come, first served.
Dental Central pass holders may only attend CE in Dental Central and the Give Veterans A Smile Mainstage session on Friday. View the list of Dental Central courses in Agenda Builder. If you’d like more CE options, you can upgrade to a Smile Pass or Platinum Pass on the registration website.
Platinum Smile Pass attendees may skip the line for all Presentations.
CE courses outside of Dental Central, including Presentations, Hands-On Activities and Master Classes, do require pre-registration for Smile Pass and Platinum Smile Pass holders, and can be added in the registration system. Smile Pass attendees may add Hands-On Activities and Master Classes for an added fee. Hands-On Activities and Master Classes are included in the Platinum Smile Pass (except the Botox course).
Pre-registration for Presentations guarantees your seat until 5 minutes before the start time of the course. After that, available seats will be offered to walk-in attendees who hold eligible passes. Pre-registration for all paid sessions guarantees your seat for the duration of the course.
How many CE credits are each course worth?
Courses are worth 1.0 CE credit hour for each clock hour, unless otherwise indicated. An additional half hour is worth half a CE credit. Please see course details in the Agenda Builder or on the SmileCon registration site. It is the attendee’s responsibility to check with their state board to determine if chosen courses will be accepted for credit.
Can I exchange a course for another course that is the same fee?
Switching courses for the same fee or a course with a higher fee — if the new course has available seats — is permitted. Credit from one course can be used to purchase a different course of equal or greater dollar value. Course changes will not incur a processing fee. If you are electing to change a course, the removal of one course and addition of another course must happen during the same transaction. Any credit due after the course change will be subject to a $25 processing fee.
Are children allowed in course rooms?
Children are permitted in course rooms; however, they may not register for a course or occupy a seat. Strollers are not permitted inside course rooms.
How do I keep track of my CE credits?
After you attend a complete course, it will appear in your account on the Verify CE website. (The site “knows” you attended because your SmileCon badge is scanned at the door.) At the end of the course, listen for the host to read the verification number. You will need to enter this number in the Verify CE website. To log in, you will need to know your Registration ID and the email address you registered with. The site will be live in October.
Where can I verify my CE from 2024 in New Orleans?
You can verify your CE for SmileCon 2024 in the CE Verification site when it goes live in October.
Where can I verify my CE from SmileCon 2023 in Orlando?
You can verify your CE at ADA.org/verifyCE. To log in, you will need to know your 2023 Registration ID (in your confirmation email from ADA SmileCon Meeting Customer Service) and the email address you registered with. More information can be found on the Verify CE page.
Are there travel discounts for attendees?
Yes! SmileCon attendees enjoy hotel, air and rental car discounts. See details on the Travel page.
Where can I find information on New Orleans restaurants, music, family-friendly events and other fun activities?
You can find all that the Big Easy has to offer at the New Orleans SmileCon website.
Where are the official ADA hotels located?
Please view the official ADA hotels and discounts on the Travel page.
What is the House of Delegates Hotel?
The ADA House of Delegates hotel is the Hilton Riverside. The hotel is not available for general attendees to book housing.
Do the hotel rates include tax?
The hotel rates listed on the map are exclusive of any taxes and fees.
How do I get hotel discounts?
You must be registered for SmileCon to make a reservation at an official ADA SmileCon hotel. The final step in the online registration process is the selection of your hotel.
Please note that reservations must be made through the SmileCon registration system to book rooms at the rates shown. These rates are not available by contacting the hotel directly.
Can I make a hotel reservation if I am not registered for the meeting?
No. To secure rooms in the ADA hotel room block, you must be registered for SmileCon. However, registrants can reserve up to three rooms for professional staff and family who will be accompanying them to New Orleans.
What if I am supposed to be in a group block, but my hotel is not showing up?
To see a hotel block, you must enter your Group Code on the hotel search page. If you have entered your code correctly, your group block hotel should be at the top of the list.
Which hotels will have shuttle service?
Hotels with shuttle service are identified on the hotel map and on the Hotel Search page in the registration system.
Which hotels have a fitness center, restaurants, etc…?
For all information about the official ADA hotels, please view the hotel list in the registration system on the Hotel Search page.
What if I need to change or cancel my hotel reservation?
Hotel changes and cancellations must be received in writing by Maritz by 5 p.m. CT on Sept. 27, 2024. Please send all hotel changes and cancellations to ada@maritz.com. Beginning Sept. 30, 2024, all hotel changes and cancellations must be made directly with the hotel and are subject to one night’s room and tax charge direct from the hotel.
Do I need a visa?
Please consult your local U.S. consulate to determine if you need a visa. U.S. applications can take some time to process. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
How do I apply for a visa?
Applying 4 – 6 months in advance for a U.S. visa is strongly recommended. To get started, please visit the U.S. State Department website.
How do I get a Letter of Invitation?
When you register for the meeting, you can request an official Letter of Invitation through the online registration system. You can download the letter as a PDF when you complete your registration – no waiting! This invitation is intended to facilitate travel and visa arrangements but does not extend financial support. If you pay for registration but your visa request is denied, we will issue a full refund.
If you require a letter before you register, please contact international@ada.org.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Any additional questions for international attendees can be addressed by ADA International Relations. Please call 312.440.2726 or email international@ada.org.