40th Annual Veterinary Dental Forum 2026: Dates, Location & Details
The Veterinary Dental Forum, founded in 1987, is the world's largest and longest-running forum dedicated to the field of veterinary dentistry. The forum is held in a different city each year, giving attendees the opportunity to explore new locations while attending.
A featured speaker will also lead a lecture and discussion on a selected topic in veterinary dentistry. The exhibit hall will include a grand opening reception, daily breaks, box lunches for registered attendees, and opportunities to explore products and services from exhibitors.
Quick Summary
- Event: 40th Annual Veterinary Dental Forum
- Date: October 7 to 10, 2026
- Location: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida
- Hosted by: Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry and American Veterinary Dental College
- Who can attend: Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and dental teams
- Program: Fundamental, intermediate, and advanced sessions, technician sessions, hands-on labs, original research, and an exhibit hall
- GerVetUSA: Booth No. 405
- Vet and Tech: Booth No. 401
Lecture Tracks
The forum offers a mix of lectures, practical sessions, research presentations, and professional discussions across different areas of veterinary dentistry.
- Fundamentals: Sessions cover surgical extractions, pediatric dentistry, pain management, client compliance, and root canal treatment decisions.
- Intermediate: Topics include ulcerative mucosal lesions, oral masses, digital charting, AI-powered radiology interpretation, and challenging crown preparations.
- Advanced: Attendees can explore higher-level topics in veterinary dentistry through advanced lectures and discussions.
- Technician sessions: Practical topics include nerve blocks, dental charting, orthodontics, ergonomics, dental radiographs, feline chronic gingivostomatitis, vital pulp therapy, and anesthesia monitoring.
- Anesthesia Sessions: The program also includes sessions focused on anesthesia.
- Research and networking: A poster session and AVDT meetings provide opportunities to explore research and connect with other veterinary dental professionals.
Hands-On Labs
The hands-on labs give attendees opportunities to practice veterinary dental techniques using professional equipment and instruments.
Here are the details.
|
Lab Area |
What Attendees Can Learn |
|
Dental Radiology |
Canine and feline dental radiography, positioning, troubleshooting, and techniques for obtaining diagnostic images |
|
Dental Extractions |
Canine and feline surgical extractions, flap preparation, bone removal, tooth sectioning, osteoplasty, suturing, and managing extraction complications |
|
Fracture Repair |
Mandibular fracture stabilization with interdental wiring and splinting, plus titanium mini-plate fixation |
|
TMJ and Oral Surgery |
Surgical management of TMJ disorders, axial pattern flaps, head and neck procedures, and oral and maxillofacial reconstruction |
|
Periodontal Therapy |
Instrument selection and care, periodontal probing, charting, treatment planning, root planing, furcation management, and perioceutics |
|
Dental Instruments |
Periodontal instrument use, maintenance, sharpening techniques, and dental delivery unit maintenance |
|
Endodontics and Prosthodontics |
Apicoectomy, root canal procedures, vital pulp therapy, crown preparation, impressions, and bite registration |
|
Pain Management |
Dental nerve block landmarks, local analgesia techniques, dosing, contraindications, and complications |
|
Bone Grafting |
Post-extraction socket preservation, bone grafting techniques, material selection, and hands-on application of TETRANITE® |
|
Student Training |
Supervised practice in comprehensive canine dental extractions and the equipment used during each stage of the procedure |
Exhibit Hall and Special Events
The exhibit hall is held in the Oceans Ballroom, where breaks, box lunches for registered attendees, and product demonstrations happen daily. Stop by GerVetUSA at Booth No. 405 and Vet and Tech at Booth No. 401 to see surgical instruments and connect with our team.
Planning your 2026 calendar? Browse more veterinary conferences. For the latest veterinary news, industry updates, events, and professional developments, visit the Veterinary News section, your source for trusted updates from across the profession.
How to Register
Registration for the Veterinary Dental Forum goes through the official Veterinary Dental Forum website, which also has the full lecture and lab schedule and the onsite program guide. Here's how to get set up before you head to Orlando.
- Plan your schedule. The forum runs October 7 to 10, 2026, with labs Thursday through Saturday. Decide which lecture days and labs fit your goals.
- Choose your track. Fundamentals, intermediate, advanced, and technician sessions are all open, so choose the ones that match your experience level and role.
- Check lab requirements. Some labs ask you to attend a related lecture first, like the ones on nerve blocks and dental charting, so plan those sessions together.
- Complete your registration online. Registered attendees get box lunches in the exhibit hall, along with access to the daily breaks and product demonstrations.
- Book your accommodation. Attendees can stay at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld and should review available accommodation options when planning their trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend the Veterinary Dental Forum?
The forum is open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, practice staff, and others interested in veterinary dentistry. Sessions are offered for different experience levels, from general practitioners to board-certified veterinary dental specialists.
Are hands-on labs included in the program?
Yes. The program includes hands-on labs from Thursday through Saturday. Topics range from dental extractions and radiology to periodontal therapy, crown preparation, fracture repair, and more. Some labs have prerequisite lectures, including sessions on dental nerve blocks and extractions.
Where can I find the full schedule?
The official Veterinary Dental Forum website lists the complete lecture and lab schedule, registration details, and the on-site program guide.
