Learn what to look for in a dental contract so you can confidently evaluate offers and make informed career decisions. We’ll cover compensation models, contract terms, benefits, and key factors like patient volume and team expectations. Designed to be practical and approachable, this session helps you understand not just what’s in a contract, but how to think through it with confidence.

Dentistry emphasizes prevention, yet early disease often goes undiagnosed because subtle radiographic changes and inflammatory patterns aren't recognized until disease advances. When patients don't understand their condition, preventive recommendations feel optional. Artificial intelligence tools help clinicians identify disease earlier and communicate findings clearly. This course explores how diagnostic AI, visualization, and AI-assisted documentation strengthen disease recognition and patient understanding, moving prevention from philosophy to actionable clinical practice.

Federal student loan limits have changed. With the OBBB Act’s $50,000 cap, many dental students may need to rely on private loans to fund dental school. What many students don’t realize: in private lending, your credit, timing, and strategy can change your rate significantly, translating into savings worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Get a practical introduction to taxes for dentists, including how tax returns work, when to pay estimated taxes, and what to know if you earn 1099 income while moonlighting. You’ll also learn key steps to take early in your career to stay organized and financially prepared.

Student loans can feel overwhelming — especially as policies continue to change. Understand the latest federal student loan updates for 2026, choose a repayment strategy that fits your career goals, and avoid common mistakes that can derail repayment or forgiveness plans. You’ll leave with practical tips to build smart financial habits and feel more confident about your next steps.

As you approach graduation and your first job, you are likely wondering how best to prepare for interviews, looking for recommendations on how to start your job hunt, and wanting to hone the soft skills you’ll need to launch a successful career. Learn how to nail your interview, start your first job with confidence, and earn your patients’ trust.

Today’s tax environment can be overwhelming for new professionals. This session simplifies key tax concepts relevant to dental students entering the workforce. Learn how to navigate employee vs. contractor status, understand deductions, manage student loan implications, and explore the basics of setting up your own dental practice—all designed to help you start your career on a strong financial foundation.

Between patient care, social obligations, and education, it is easy to let your finances slide. But, as you know, sorting out your finances is vitally important – not only for your peace of mind, but also for your long-term financial well-being. In fact, cultivating healthy financial habits is paramount for buying a house, buying into a practice, having kids, insulating yourself from financial risk, and enjoying life — and the earlier you start, the better.

This webinar will examine how recent changes to federal student loans will reshape borrowing and repayment. Attend to hear from speakers as they provide insights and analysis on how these changes affect current dental students and those looking to get into dental school.

Jon Fansmith from the American Council on Education will provide information on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act related to federal student financial aid. Katrina Delgrosso from College Ave will offer resources and information on alternative borrowing options.

Getting ready to launch your dental career? Don’t let insurance be the part that holds you back - it can shape everything from how you build your patient base to how your practice gets paid.

Join Humana’s Michelle Hart, RDH, MBA, Jennifer Bincarousky, and Becky Benincasa, for a practical breakdown on what you really need to know about dental insurance before entering or starting a practice. Michelle, Jennifer and Becky will give you the 101 on different insurance models, how to choose the right networks for your practice and how to avoid common payment headaches.

Whether you plan to join a group practice, open your own, or just want to feel confident when talking insurance with patients, this session is for you.

You know how to do the dentistry, now learn how to get paid for it.

Are you ready to lead your future practice? This session empowers clinicians to provide exceptional care through improved diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient communication. Learn how to connect oral and overall health, build trust to maximize case acceptance, and strengthen your clinical skills to meet the demands of modern healthcare.

Join us to learn how to navigate the complexities of student loan repayment, explore residency loan options, and prepare for practice ownership. Discover repayment strategies for federal and private loans, learn how personal credit impacts your journey, and compare healthcare-specific lenders with traditional banks.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to manage debt wisely and build a strong financial foundation.

Advocacy is a broad-ranging topic in ASDA.  Thousands of ASDA members are already advocating for something, even if they don’t know it!  The All About Advocacy! Chapter Idea Exchange will provide a space for participants to learn about a successful advocacy event before diving into sharing their own experiences. Participants will share ideas, discuss common challenges, and brainstorm ways to overcome advocacy obstacles.

The purpose of the 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Week is to establish foundational knowledge about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and provide resources for chapters to create cultures of inclusion with their members.

At the core of inclusion is the opportunity and ability to have meaningful, and sometimes difficult, conversations. During this panel discussion, you will gain tools to help you have open dialogue about DEIB topics. You will also discover what some of the existing barriers are to productive dialogue and how you may see those barriers at work for a chapter, a practice, and the industry. 

In this session, attendees will hear from an ASDA member who coordinated an outstanding community service event that brought Give Back A Smile (the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Charitable Foundation) together with jewelry brand Kendra Scott. Attendees will hear about the success and methodology that led to raising over $5,000, learn how to work with a business, and understand tips to increase event engagement. Resources to coordinate your own community service event and fundraiser will also be shared.

With the end of dental school comes an entirely new life experience. You have the tools to be a successful doctor, but you may still have some uncertainties about what to expect from post-graduate life. Join our panel of new dentists who will share details about their last few months of dental school and first year in practice.

Be sure to bring your questions about being a new dentist. This session is an opportunity to get those questions answered from individuals who were recently in your position.

The interview process for an associateship is a two-way street. Just as a practice evaluates the applicant, so must the applicant assess if the practice is a good fit for them in terms of opportunities, benefits, and values. As you prepare to launch your post-graduate job search, it’s critical to consider what you are looking to gain from an associateship opportunity. During this session, Dr. Abby Halpern will share tools and insights to help you make the best career decision for you.

Update: this session has been cancelled and may be rescheduled for a later date. Please look for an announcement from ASDA regarding the rescheduled date.

Whether you're a third or fourth year dental student, you're the closest you've ever been to graduating. Join Kevin Allen, from ADA Members Insurance Plans, to learn how to protect your greatest investment now and as you begin your career in dentistry. 

You will walk away from this session with a clear understanding of:

• The importance of getting the right protection in place.
• Life and disability protection tailored just for you.
• The ADA student member insurance benefits available.

There are many options when choosing your career path, especially if you are considering a specialty. How do you know which one is right for you?

Dr. Sara Davis will share her pathway to a career in public health in this session of the dental specialty series. She’ll outline what a typical day might look like in a public health setting and how the scope of practice can differ depending on formal training. There are multiple options when you pursue a career in public health and this session will help you explore the possibilities.