Platinum Sponsor
Dental Congress 2026
Conference: Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th August 2026
Where: New Zealand International Conference Centre, Auckland
Get ready for the biggest dental event of 2026!
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA), New Zealand Oral Health Association (NZOHA), and New Zealand Institute of Dental Technologists (NZIDT) are joining forces to deliver the New Zealand Dental Congress 2026.
Congress will kick off with an opening session bringing everyone together, followed by each association presenting its own tailored scientific programme, with select open sessions to foster collaboration. The shared industry expo will be a buzzing hub of activity, connection and energy.
Expect inspiring sessions, hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and a vibrant social programme that keeps wellbeing front of mind.
The event will take place from 27 – 29 August 2026 at the brand-new New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.
THE AGENDA
Hands on Workshops
In addition to the speaker programme on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 August, a series of hands-on workshops will be held on Thursday 28 August, offering practical learning opportunities ahead of the main Congress programme.
Workshops have a capacity of 20 people and will only be available for conference attendees.
Thursday 28th August
Composite Restorations – Single Shade Class III & IV with the Class V
9:00am – 12:30pm
LA Tips and Techniques
9:30am – 12:30pm
Composite Restoration – Large Class IV Restoration with Multi-Shade Layering Technique
1:30pm – 5:00pm
Building Cultural Capability
1:30pm – 4:00pm
If you’re looking to build practical skills, be sure to add on workshops when you register.
Conference
Friday 29th August
7.45am - Registration Open
8.30am - Presidents Address & Welcome
9.00am - TBC
10.00 - 11.00am - Break
11.00am - 12.20pm Cultural Intelligence - Hone Hurihanganui
12.20 - 1.15pm - Rethinking Oral Health: From Killing Bacteria to Supporting Balance - Dr Valence E. Roberts (BDSc Hons, Melbourne
1.15 - 2.00pm - Break
2.00 - 3.00pm - From Bump to Baby Teeth: Drugs in Pregnancy, Lactation and Paediatrics - Dr Leanne Toeh
3.00 - 4.00pm -
Option 1 Year 0-17 Review - Health NZ
Option 2 Securing Oral Health and Prevention in Older Patients - Dr Franuke Millèr
4.00 - 5.00pm - The Discovery of a Major Survival Pathway that has Gone Astray in Humans: The Fructose Survival Pathway - Professor Richard Johnston
5.00 - 7.00pm - NZOHA Presentations and President's Shout
Saturday 30th August
7.45 - 8.45am - Colgate Breakfast
9.00 - 10.00am
Option 1 Perio - Dr Susan Wise
Option 2 Trauma - TBC
10.00 - 11.00am - Extending the Sugar Story to Cancer, Dementia and Behavioural Disorders, and what can we do to stop these Epidemics? Professor Richard Johnston
11.00am - 12.00pm - Break
12.00 - 1.00pm - Pain management in dentistry – what to do, and what to avoid - Dr Leanne Toeh
1.00 - 2.00pm -
Option 1 Composites - Dr Jason Smithson
Option 2 Implants/airflow - EMS/Ivoclar
2.00 - 3.00pm - Break
3.00 - 4.00pm - TBC
4.00 - 5.00pm - The Full Team Approach to Treatment - Panel
5.00pm - Closing/Drinks
SPEAKERS
Richard J. Johnson, M.D
Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado
Associate Professor Leanne Teoh
B.DSc(Hons) B.Pharm(Hons) PhD FICD FPFA
Mr Hone Hurihanganui
Tūhourangi - Ngāti Wāhiao Ngāti Whakaue Ngāti Porou Ngāi Tāmanuhiri
Dr Susan Wise
BDSc (Melb), Masters of Dental Science (Periodontics)
Congress Call for Abstracts
Oral Presentation & Poster
The conference committee is now calling for abstracts for oral presentations (15 minutes) and poster presentations. Practitioners, researchers, and students are encouraged to share their research outputs related to oral health. Research with preliminary findings is accepted for consideration.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our event sponsors
Contact us with any questions or to join NZOHA
Key Links
Thank you to the Clare Foundation for supporting Te Ohu Pūniho Ora o Aotearoa – New Zealand Oral Health
