Welcome to the 100th Southwest Dental Conference!  

2027 Southwest Dental Conference
A Century of Smiles: Celebrating 100 Years of Dentistry and Innovation

Welcome to the 2027 Southwest Dental Conference! It is my honor to introduce this year’s theme: A Century of Smiles: Celebrating 100 Years of Dentistry & Innovation.

For a century, this Conference has brought dental professionals together to learn, share ideas and strengthen the connections that help our profession move forward. Reaching this milestone is a remarkable achievement—and a wonderful reason to celebrate. We honor the people, discoveries and dedication that have shaped the Conference, while looking ahead to the possibilities still to come.

Dentistry has changed in extraordinary ways over the past 100 years. New technologies, materials and techniques continue to transform how we care for patients, while the heart of our work remains the same: helping people enjoy healthier lives and more confident smiles. Today’s innovations—from 3D printing and AI diagnostics to new approaches to prevention and patient comfort—give dental teams fresh ways to deliver thoughtful, effective care. The future is full of promise, and it is being shaped every day by the curiosity and commitment of people like you.

This year’s Conference brings that spirit of progress to life. We are delighted to welcome both familiar faces and new voices to our speaker lineup. Their varied experiences and perspectives will offer opportunities to learn from one another, explore emerging ideas and bring fresh inspiration back to our practices and communities. Whether you are here to discover a new technique, reconnect with colleagues or find a new direction for your work, there is something meaningful waiting for you.

Most of all, this anniversary is a celebration of the people who make the Southwest Dental Conference what it is. Each year, a dedicated team works behind the scenes to plan the Conference, bringing together the speakers, ideas and experiences that make it special. We are fortunate to have such a talented and committed team guiding this work year after year. And we are grateful to you—the dental professionals who travel from across Texas and beyond to learn, share and celebrate with us. Your commitment to caring for patients and advancing dentistry is at the heart of this conference.

I hope you will join us in celebrating all that this Conference has meant over the past century—and all that we can accomplish together in the years ahead. May the conversations, learning, and friendships you find here remind you why you chose this profession and renew your excitement for what comes next.

Thank you for being part of this milestone year. We look forward to celebrating a century of smiles with you.

Wendy Steger, DDS
2027 Southwest Dental Conference Chairman