The 2026 Alberta Dental Team Summit brought more than 500 oral health professionals together for three days of learning, connection and renewal in the Rockies. Here’s what they experienced, and why 2027 is already on their calendars.
There is something about sitting in a room full of people who do exactly what you do. People who understand the overhead pressures, the staffing challenges and the patient conversations that stay with you. It reminds you why you chose this profession. That is what the Alberta Dental Team Summit delivers, and the 2026 edition in Banff delivered it better than ever.
Held March 26 to 28 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the Summit brought together dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and practice administrators from across Alberta, all under one roof with one goal: educate, collaborate, rejuvenate.
Three Tracks. One Team.
The Summit’s programming ran across three connected tracks: clinical practice, practice management and wellness. That meant every member of a dental office could walk away with something useful for their role. This year’s lineup was built around the questions Alberta’s dental teams are actually asking.
Friday opened with keynote speaker Ron Tite, a leadership and marketing expert, who challenged a packed ballroom at the Banff Springs to think about why they do what they do, and how that purpose drives growth. His session continued in a smaller fireside chat in the afternoon, a format that consistently produces some of the Summit’s most candid conversations.
The afternoon plenary shifted the room entirely. Jennifer Cicci, RDH, took the stage as a patient, sharing her own journey through head and neck cancer, and then joined an engaging panel discussion with Alberta’s own leaders in this field, Dr. Chad Sampson, Dr. Cheryl Cable and Dr. Rafael Figueiredo. It was the kind of session that stays with you long after you have returned to your practice.
“I was hesitant about the cost. After one Summit, I’ve sent my whole team every year since. Best investment in staff retention I’ve made.”
Dr. Priya, Practice Owner
Saturday: From finances to momentum
Saturday brought its own energy. The day opened with morning yoga sponsored by GoodLife Fitness, a small detail that says a lot about what makes the Summit different from a standard conference. Attendees arrived at their first sessions stretched, settled and ready.
Breakout sessions ran in four rooms at once. Topics ranged from advanced endodontics with Dr. Jorge Vera, including a hands-on instrumentation session, to practice profitability with a five-presenter financial panel that included ADA President-Elect Dr. John Tran.
Graduate students from the University of Alberta Mike Petryk School of Dentistry also showcased their research, connecting the next generation of the profession with the practitioners who will carry their findings into daily clinical life.
The Summit closed with Olympic gold medalist and Amazing Race Canada host Jon Montgomery delivering the closing keynote, “From Intention to Momentum: Performance Starts with You.” It was the right note to end on. People left the Fairmont with full CE credit reports and something harder to measure: momentum.
“The CE content was relevant and current – not the same stuff I’ve heard before. And the Après Ski Mixer was incredible.”
Dr. James, Practice Owner
A Team Approach
The 2026 Summit was organized in collaboration with the Association of Alberta Dental Assistants, the Dental Hygienists Association of Alberta, the Edmonton District Dental Society, the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Calgary District Dental Society. Special thanks to our top sponsors—CDSPI, 123Dentist, dentalcorp, RBC and Merck Canada—and to the many others whose partnership made the program possible.
“We came as a team of four. We left with a year’s worth of energy and ideas to actually use Monday morning.”
Sarah, RDH
Get Ready for Summit 2027
Planning for the 2027 Summit is already underway. It will take place March 18 to 20, 2027, back at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Registration opens in September. Visit albertadentalteamsummit.ca to save your spot.