Grounded in the Alberta Dental Association’s four strategic pillars—Educate and Empower, Advocate for Better, Promote Health and Wellness, and Celebrate People and Community—the 2025 Alberta Dental Team Summit brought dental professionals
from across the province together to educate, collaborate, and rejuvenate.
Education with Impact
Our goal for the Summit’s education program was to make it practical, relevant, and inclusive for the entire dental team. When teams learn together, they align on language, values, and approaches that carry directly into practice—creating meaningful improvements
for patients and teams alike.
Every member of the dental team plays a role in the patient experience. By designing sessions that spoke to each role while encouraging shared learning, we created opportunities for deeper understanding, stronger collaboration, and better care.
I left the Summit with
Summit Attendee
practical skills I can use
right away.
That attendee’s reflection summed up exactly what we hoped to achieve. The Summit’s program was built for Alberta’s context and delivered by professionals who know what it’s like to practice, lead, and problem-solve here. Nearly all of our speakers—96%—were Alberta based.
Elevating local talent makes our education stronger, more relevant, and more accessible. To everyone who spoke at the Summit: thank you. Your generosity and leadership made the Summit what it was.
Connection at the Core
Looking back through event photos, one that stands out shows a family gathered around the s’mores station at our Friday evening event, Banff’s mountains rising in the background. That moment captured exactly what we hoped for: a Summit that created space for connection—not only within practices, but also within families. It was a chance to step back, breathe, and remember why this work matters, and who we do it for.
“Thank you for the fantastic experience. Kudos to the
Summit Attendee
ADA for making the Summit a true team opportunity.
It’s one thing to say it’s a ‘team’ event, but another
to bring it to life—and you did that beautifully.”
Throughout the weekend, we heard deep appreciation for the team-based approach. Collaboration across roles and professions wasn’t just discussed—it was experienced.
Building Team Culture
This year we also introduced DiSC as a quiet signal of our investment in communication, leadership, and team culture. It resonated strongly: “I loved the practical team and communication focused courses that will elevate my capacity to interact in a healthier way with my team as a leader.”
“I loved the practical team and communication focused courses that will elevate my capacity to interact in a healthier way with my team as a leader.”
Summit Attendee
Alberta Talent on Display
For me, the Summit was also a step toward something bigger: showing the rest of the country what leadership in dentistry looks like. This year, Alberta’s talent, commitment, and community were on full display.
Want to know more about the Alberta Dental Team Summit? Visit albertadentateamsummit.ca
ARTICLE by CARMEN SHERIDAN (ADA’s FORMER EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY DIRECTOR)