Press Registration

Working members of the press may apply for press credentials by completing and submitting the Press Form (below). Please note, completion of this form does not guarantee press credentials. Within ten business days of receiving the Press Form, the ADA will review your application and notify you accordingly. Requests submitted without supporting documents will not be reviewed or approved.

• For dental trade media who have attended SmileCon in the last year as press, one published, bylined articles from the previous year’s meeting are required.
• For dental trade media and other news sources who have not attended the previous year’s SmileCon meeting, the appropriate credential would be at least two published, bylined editorial/news articles, podcast episodes, etc. from the last 12 months related to dental health or a related topic.
• Who should not register as press?
• Editors-in-chiefs advisory board members or marketing/sales team members, or any other staff that do not write public-facing news articles for their publications.
• Companies or organizations producing publications, videos, blogs, and/or other electronic media intended for internal use, marketing, advertising, financial analysis, or public relations purposes.
• Marketing, advertising, sales or public relations personnel.
• Representatives from dental or medical education companies.

Those who do not qualify for press credentials can still register for SmileCon. For registration pass options and prices, please visit the Registration page. Please note, the One Day Hall Pass does not include access to education and the Dental Central Pass only grants access to Presentations within Dental Central.

Once your application has been approved and you are eligible to attend SmileCon as a member of the press, you will receive a registration group code and instructions. You will use the provided group code to register for SmileCon as a member of the press.

During registration you can also book a hotel room in one of the SmileCon official hotel room blocks through the registration system.

Pre-registered, credentialed press will be able to pick up their badges at the Press Counter located in Registration area during the following days/times:

Wednesday, Oct. 16: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 18: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

If you need additional assistance, please contact ADA Media Relations at mediarelations@ada.org.

Registered media are required to wear the media badge at all times when on the premises for the purpose of transparency. All continuing education (CE) sessions and special lectures are open to the media for observation only as long as a course is not sold out. Arrangements for any interviews with a CE course speaker, ADA leadership or other individuals appearing at SmileCon must be made in advance. Entry into sessions requires a visible media badge.

Registered media are allowed to:

• Take photos (non-flash only) and record audio in Dental Central.
• Record video in public areas of the convention center, but only when accompanied by an ADA media relations staff member. Media must receive prior approval and arrange for an escort by contacting ADA Media Relations.

Members of the media are prohibited from the following activities related to CE courses, private receptions and events and ADA Governance meetings:

• Taking flash photos or video during CE sessions, which includes any CE PowerPoint, video presentations and audio clips, without proper consent (this applies to virtual events as well)
• Recording and posting audio or video of any CE session, event, reception or meeting in its entirety.
• Covering private receptions held during SmileCon without prior approval from the Media Relations team
• Disclaimer: Photos of copyrighted material reprinted/posted without the prior consent of an author/presenter is strictly prohibited.

There will not be a dedicated press room at SmileCon, as badge pickup and press registration will take place at main registration. Please contact mediarelations@ada.org if you are in need of an interview location.

Media interviews are allowed to take place within the confines of an exhibitor's booth, so long as the rules of SmileCon and Dental Central are observed, including the photography policy.

The American Dental Association reserves the right to bar, from this and future SmileCon meetings, any registered media who:

• attempt to obtain advertising or subscriptions from any exhibitor or registrant;
• deliberately promote the marketing objectives of a single company or institution; or
• misuse media privileges to engage in activities other than journalistic pursuits.

If you need additional assistance, please contact ADA Media Relations at mediarelations@ada.org.

• At least two podcast episodes from the last 12 months related to dental health or a related topic.
  AND
• At least one published podcast recorded at a previous SmileCon event, if applicable.

• Members of the press without podcasts (see above for press information)
• Companies or organizations producing podcasts intended for internal use, marketing, advertising, financial analysis, or public relations purposes
• Sales, advertising, marketing, or public relations personnel
• Representatives from dental or medical education companies

Please fill out the form below once for press credentials and once for podcast participation consideration.

Once your application has been approved and you are eligible to attend SmileCon as a participant in the podcast zone, you will receive a registration group code and instructions. Approved podcasters can also receive a SmilePass if interested. You will use the provided group code to register for SmileCon as a podcaster.

During registration you can also book a hotel room in one of the SmileCon official hotel room blocks through the registration system.

No. Podcasters must apply through the form below and receive approval in advance of SmileCon.

Pre-approved podcasters will be able to pick up their badges at the Press Counter located in Registration area during the following days/times:

• Wednesday, Oct. 16: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 17: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 18: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 19: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

If you need additional assistance, please contact ADA Media Relations at mediarelations@ada.org.

Approved podcasters are required to wear the podcast badge at all times for transparency when on the premises. If a podcaster also has a SmilePass, they are able to attend continuing education (CE) sessions and special lectures like any other attendee with a SmilePass. Arrangements for interviews with a CE course speaker, ADA leadership or other individuals appearing at SmileCon must be made in advance through the ADA Media Relations team.

Registered podcasters are allowed to:

• Take photos (non-flash only) and record audio in Dental Central.
• Record video in public areas of the convention center, but only when accompanied by an ADA media relations staff member. Podcasters must receive prior approval and arrange for an escort by contacting ADA Media Relations.

Registered podcasters are prohibited from the following activities related to CE courses, private receptions and events and ADA Governance meetings:

• Taking flash photos or video during CE sessions, which includes any CE PowerPoint, video presentations and audio clips, without proper consent (this applies to virtual events as well)
• Recording and posting audio or video of any CE session, event, reception or meeting in its entirety.
• Covering private receptions held during SmileCon without prior approval from the Media Relations team
• Disclaimer: Photos, videos or audio of copyrighted material reprinted/posted without the prior consent of an author/presenter is strictly prohibited.

Registered podcasters will receive a time to record on the main stage in the podcast zone. Additional interviews can be conducted at smaller booths in the podcast area.

Podcast interviews are allowed to take place within the confines of an exhibitor's booth, so long as the rules of SmileCon and Dental Central are observed, including the photo and video policies.