The Ontario Dental Association's Annual Spring Meeting 2026 (ASM26) runs May 7-9 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, featuring over 100 courses, a sold-out exhibit floor, and critical updates on the CDCP and 2026 Suggested Fee Guides. Here is what Ontario dental professionals need to know before registering.
As of March 2026, the ODA's biggest annual event is just weeks away. Whether you are a general practitioner, specialist, hygienist, or practice manager in the Greater Toronto Area, ASM26 represents the single largest professional development opportunity of the year in Ontario. With the 2026 Suggested Fee Guides already released and CDCP renewal deadlines approaching, this year's meeting carries extra weight for every practice in the province.
What Is ASM26 and Why Does It Matter?
The Annual Spring Meeting is the Ontario Dental Association's (ODA) flagship conference, drawing thousands of dental professionals from across Ontario and beyond. ASM26 takes place May 7 through May 9, 2026 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, in downtown Toronto.
This year's program spans three full days of clinical education, practice management workshops, and personal development sessions. With more than 100 courses and workshops on the schedule, the breadth of programming is designed to serve everyone from new graduates to seasoned practitioners looking to refine specialized skills.
Pro Tip: If you have not registered yet, do so soon. All exhibit floor booths are sold out, which signals record vendor participation and likely high attendee turnout. Early registration typically means better session availability for popular hands-on workshops.
Key Programming Tracks at ASM26
The ODA has structured ASM26 around a diverse program covering clinical, business, and personal development tracks. While the full course catalogue is available on the ODA website, here are the broad categories you can expect:
- Clinical excellence: Courses on restorative techniques, implantology, endodontics, periodontal therapy, and emerging digital dentistry workflows
- Practice management: Sessions on billing optimization, team leadership, patient communication, and navigating government dental programs including the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
- Infection prevention and control (IPAC): Updates on Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) compliance requirements and evolving provincial standards
- Personal development: Workshops on burnout prevention, work-life balance, and career planning for dental professionals at every stage
For practice owners in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, and across the GTA, the practice management track is particularly valuable. With overhead costs climbing and staffing challenges persisting, these sessions offer concrete strategies tailored to Ontario's regulatory and economic landscape.
2026 ODA Suggested Fee Guides: What Changed
The ODA released the 2026 Suggested Fee Guide for General Practitioners and select specialties in late 2025, along with an updated Quick Reference Guide. These fee guides serve as the baseline for treatment pricing discussions with patients across Ontario.
For practices that have not yet reviewed the 2026 guide, this is a priority task before ASM26. Understanding the updated fee schedule allows you to:
- Adjust your practice's fee schedule to remain competitive within your region
- Have informed conversations with patients about treatment costs
- Ensure accurate billing for insured patients, particularly those covered through employer plans and the CDCP
- Benchmark your practice's production against provincial averages
Pro Tip: Download the 2026 Quick Reference Guide from the ODA member portal before attending ASM26. Several practice management sessions will reference the updated fee schedule, and having it reviewed in advance means you can focus on strategic discussions rather than basic orientation.
CDCP Renewal Deadlines Coincide with ASM26 Timing
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) renewal window opens April 15 and closes June 1, 2026. This means the renewal period begins just two weeks before ASM26 kicks off, making the conference an ideal venue to get clarity on CDCP-related questions.
Key CDCP renewal facts for Ontario dental professionals:
- CDCP members must renew coverage between April 15 and June 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 benefit year
- Patients who fail to renew by June 1 will lose CDCP coverage effective June 30, 2026
- Nearly six million Canadians have enrolled in the program, with over 27,000 oral health providers participating nationwide
- Approximately 60 per cent of approved CDCP members have received dental care through the program
For practices in the GTA that see a significant volume of CDCP patients, the renewal window creates both an opportunity and an administrative challenge. Proactively reminding your CDCP patients about the renewal deadline can help maintain continuity of care and protect your practice's revenue from this patient segment.
Pro Tip: Train your front desk team to identify CDCP patients during April and May appointment confirmations. A simple reminder script can prevent coverage lapses that disrupt both patient care and your accounts receivable.
ODA Leadership: Dr. David A. Brown's Priorities
Dr. David A. Brown has been leading the ODA as President since June 2025. His tenure has been marked by a focus on navigating the profession through the evolving CDCP landscape and advocating for fair treatment of dental professionals within government dental programs.
In a March 2026 update, Dr. Brown addressed several issues of concern to Ontario dentists, including ongoing advocacy with the federal government on CDCP fee adequacy and administrative burden. The ODA continues to survey its membership on CDCP experiences, and results from these surveys inform the association's policy positions.
For dental professionals who want to stay informed on how organized dentistry is representing their interests, attending the ODA's member sessions at ASM26 is the most direct way to engage with leadership and provide feedback.
Planning Your ASM26 Experience
If you are attending from the GTA, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre location in downtown Toronto offers convenient access via TTC, GO Transit, and the Gardiner Expressway. For those travelling from Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York, or surrounding municipalities, plan for potential traffic congestion during the May long weekend period.
Practical planning tips for ASM26:
- Register early: Popular hands-on workshops fill up quickly. Check the ASM26 registration page on oda.ca for availability.
- Plan your schedule: With 100+ sessions over three days, map out your priority courses in advance. Balance clinical learning with at least one practice management session.
- Visit the exhibit floor: Despite sold-out booths, the exhibit floor is included with registration. It is an efficient way to evaluate new products, technologies, and services in a single visit.
- Network intentionally: ASM26 draws peers from across Ontario. Conversations in the hallways and at evening events can be as valuable as the formal programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and where is the ODA Annual Spring Meeting 2026?
ASM26 takes place May 7-9, 2026 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, in downtown Toronto. The event features three full days of courses, workshops, and a sold-out exhibit floor for dental professionals across Ontario.
Q: What is the CDCP renewal deadline for 2026?
Canadian Dental Care Plan members must renew their coverage between April 15 and June 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 benefit year. Patients who do not renew by June 1 will lose coverage effective June 30, 2026.
Q: Where can I access the 2026 ODA Suggested Fee Guide?
The 2026 Suggested Fee Guide for General Practitioners and select specialties is available through the ODA member portal at oda.ca. The Quick Reference Guide is also available for download.
EBIKO Dental will continue monitoring ODA and CDCP developments and reporting on updates that affect dental professionals across Ontario and Canada. Visit ebiko.ca for the latest Canadian dental industry news.