FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:

Madison Adams

Senior Coordinator, Education & Marketing

(866) 479-6495

[email protected]

Registration Opens for the 2026 ADS Annual Conference, May 27–29, Salt Lake City

March 10, 2026 (ATLANTA, GA) - Registration is now open for the 2026 ADS Annual Conference, the premier event for dental infection prevention and patient safety education and networking. Hosted at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT, from May 27–29, the conference brings together dental infection prevention and safety professionals and leading industry representatives for 2.5 days of cutting‑edge science, practical solutions, and high‑value connections.

The 2026 program will spotlight the Dr. John S. Zapp Global Lecture as this year’s keynote: “Oral Health Diplomacy - Who Speaks for Us?” delivered by Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, BDS, MPH, MPhil, CEO & President, VillageReach. Dr. Ogwell is a public health expert with three decades of experience at national, regional and global levels. He was most recently the Vice President for Global Health Strategy at the UN Foundation, where he spearheaded global health policy, advocacy, convening, thought leadership and grant making in support of the UN’s priorities. Prior to this, he was Deputy Director-General at Africa CDC, an institution where he served in various leadership capacities, including acting CEO, and the founding Deputy Director. He led Africa CDC during a time of significant growth and transformation, steering Africa’s complex and successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disease threats, including Ebola, Marburg and cholera. Prior to this, Dr. Ogwell held distinguished roles at WHO and at the Ministry of Health in Kenya. He is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, the Centre for International Health at the University of Bergen, the Harvard Business School and a Fellow of the Academy of Public Health.

“ADS exists to turn the best science into daily practice. In Salt Lake City, we’re focused on practical, ready‑to‑use strategies, from frontline protocols to system‑level improvements. We can’t wait to welcome clinicians, educators, and industry partners to learn, connect, and drive impact,” said Julie Lynch, MS, BSN, RN, Chair, ADS Board of Directors and ADS Co-Chair of the Annual Conference Planning Committee.

Conference Highlights

• Robust education: Plenary sessions and concurrent breakouts led by outstanding speakers and thought leaders.
• Connection built‑in: Dedicated spaces to meet sponsors, exhibitors, and innovative thinkers from around the world.
• Community and cause: Social activities and a lively fun’draising auction supporting the ADS Foundation.
• Flexible formats: Choose to participate in-person or purchase the on-demand recordings. 

Visit www.myads.org/annual-conference for the full agenda, speakers, hotel information, to register, and more.

About ADS

The Association for Dental Safety (ADS), formerly known as OSAP, is the only nonprofit membership association for oral healthcare professionals that focuses exclusively on dental infection prevention and patient and provider safety. ADS helps operationalize dental infection control and safety laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, and best practices to ensure every dental visit is a safe visit.

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