Welcome to the 99th Southwest Dental Conference!
2026 Southwest Dental Conference
Bridging Gaps, Breaking Boundaries: Collaboration in Oral Health
It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the 2026 Southwest Dental Conference (SWDC). Every year, this event brings together thousands of dentists, team members, and industry partners from across the country — an inspiring reminder that dentistry is strongest when we learn and grow together. As Chair of the 99th SWDC, I am thrilled to invite you to join us for a meeting that promises to be as enriching as it is inspiring.
The theme for 2026 is “Bridging Gaps, Breaking Boundaries: Collaboration in Oral Health.” This theme reflects our belief that the future of dentistry lies not only in scientific innovation and clinical mastery, but also in our ability to work across specialties, across disciplines, and across communities. Our profession is evolving quickly, and the needs of our patients are more complex than ever. By fostering collaboration — between clinicians, researchers, educators, team members, and industry — we can break through the traditional boundaries of practice and create a stronger, healthier future for those we serve.
The SWDC is a shining example of what organized dentistry makes possible. It is through gatherings like this that we connect, collaborate, and renew our shared commitment to the profession. None of us can meet the challenges of dentistry in isolation. The clinical, business, and technological demands of our practices are best met when we stand together, learn together, and advocate together.
By participating in this Conference, you are making a powerful investment — not only in your own professional growth, but also in the advancement of dentistry as a whole. The insights you gain here, the conversations you have, and the relationships you build extend far beyond these few days. They ripple outward to your practice, your patients, your community, and our profession at large.
The educational lineup for 2026 is exceptional, carefully curated to embody the spirit of collaboration. Whether you are seeking advanced training in a specialty area, looking to enhance team communication, or exploring new technologies, this year’s program has something to offer every member of the dental community.
Beyond clinical excellence, we have built a program that emphasizes working together: dentists with staff, specialists with general practitioners, and clinicians with industry experts. This spirit of collaboration is what makes dentistry stronger and our care more impactful.
Dentistry is experiencing a revolution in technology — from 3D printing and AI-supported diagnostics to regenerative therapies and expanded digital workflows. But innovation alone is not enough. For these tools to truly transform patient care, they must be shared, discussed, and integrated across disciplines.
No single person delivers care alone. Dentistry happens in teams, and the Southwest Dental Conference celebrates this truth by offering robust programming for hygienists, assistants, administrative staff, and laboratory technicians. By attending together, entire practices can return home aligned, energized, and equipped to provide even better care to their patients.
The theme of “Bridging Gaps, Breaking Boundaries” is more than a tagline. It is a call to action. Dentistry’s future depends on our willingness to connect across divides, embrace innovation, and prioritize collaboration over competition. Whether we are bridging the gap between specialties, breaking through barriers in access to care, or fostering stronger bonds within our own teams, each of us plays a vital role in shaping the profession.
On behalf of the SWDC planning committee, I thank you for your commitment to dentistry and for joining us this year. It is your participation, your curiosity, and your collaboration that make this Conference extraordinary. Together, let us bridge gaps, break boundaries, and build a stronger future for our patients, our practices, and our profession.
Thomas Schlieve DDS, MD
Chairman, 2026 Southwest Dental Conference