Session Daily | Sunday, March 22

Join Us in Celebrating Excellence in Dental Education at the Opening Ceremony

On Sunday, George W. Taylor, D.M.D., Dr.P.H., Professor of Preventive and Restorative Dental Science at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry (UCSF SOD), will receive the 2026 ADEA Distinguished Service Award. The recognition will take place today at 8:30 a.m. during the Opening Ceremony in Room 517 C-D on the fifth floor of the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Dr. Taylor will be presented with the award by Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Todd V. Ester, D.D.S., M.A. Dr. Taylor joined the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry (U-M SOD) in 1993 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000 and Professor in 2009. He was appointed Associate Professor of Epidemiology in 2004 at U-M SOD and promoted to Professor in 2009. U-M Regents later saluted Dr. Taylor by naming him Professor Emeritus of Dentistry and Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology.

Dr. Taylor later joined UCSF SOD in 2011. He has published four book chapters, 56 peer-reviewed papers and 55 research abstracts focusing on the public health threats of diabetes and the impact of diabetes on all aspects of dental health, particularly periodontal disease.

Dr. Taylor established key recommendations for health care decision-making that have had an important influence on dental health care policies. He also served with distinction as a teacher at U-M SOD and U-M School of Public Health, while also maintaining a dental practice and serving as a consultant to major dental professional organizations.

Dr. Taylor is in constant demand as a speaker, having delivered more than 120 national invited presentations. He served on five editorial boards, was a reviewer for 20 journals, a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Director of the American Board of Dental Public Health and a member of the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs. He has also participated in a number of international committees.

Celebrating Excellence at the Opening Ceremony

Later in the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Ester also will present citations to those who have demonstrated exceptional service to ADEA and the dental education community.

Discourse, Dessert and a Tribute to Luminary Dr. Jeanne Sinkford at Evening Plenary

Last fall, the oral health and dental education community lost Jeanne Craig Sinkford, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., FACD, FICD, a luminary figure and trailblazer. The former ADEA Associate Executive Director, Founder and Director of the ADEA Center for Equity and Diversity and ADEA Senior Scholar-in-Residence made history as the first woman to serve as dean of a U.S. dental school when she became Dean of Howard University College of Dentistry in 1975.

As a tribute to Dr. Sinkford, ADEA is bringing back the “An Evening Plenary: Discourse & Dessert” at the 2026 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition today at 6:30 p.m. in the Champlain Ballroom at the Marriott Chateau Champlain.

Started by Dr. Sinkford more than 33 years ago, the event was designed to foster exposure to innovative ideas and influential role models who employ “big picture” strategies to advance opportunity and equity for all—particularly in supporting the careers of women and individuals underrepresented in academic dentistry.

This year’s featured guest is acclaimed Canadian actor and activist Tantoo Cardinal, who will be interviewed by Karen P. West, D.M.D., M.P.H., ADEA President and CEO.

With a career spanning five decades, Ms. Cardinal has broken significant ground in advancing authentic on-screen representation of Indigenous peoples, including in such films as "Dances with Wolves" and television shows like "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and "Westworld." She is also an outspoken environmental advocate, drawing upon her lived experience witnessing environmental changes that directly affect Indigenous lands and communities.

The event will also feature tribute remarks about Dr. Sinkford’s life and her impact from Todd V. Ester, D.D.S., M.A., Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors; Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, D.D.S., M.S.P.H., Chair-elect of the ADEA Board of Directors; and Susan H. Kass, M.Ed., Ed.D., RDH, Immediate Past Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors.  

Speakers Embrace Advancing Access at ADEA Chair of the Board of Directors Symposia Kick Off

The 2026 ADEA Chair of the Board of Directors Symposia series will kick off today at 10:30 a.m. in Room 516 A-C, fifth floor, Palais descongrès de Montréal. Speakers will discuss the many ways to advance access to oral health care and education, and subsequently, overall health during “ADEA Chair of the Board of Directors Symposium: Advancing Access and Bridging Pathways of Hope.”

It will take place after the opening plenary session by Cy Wakeman, Founder and CEO of Reality-based Leadership, TED speaker and NY Times bestselling author, who will explore “Leading in Challenging, Unprecedented Times—Building Bridges & Helping Hope Make a Comeback.”

This symposium will discuss advancing access to oral health care services, educational opportunities, oral health education, healthy food, and community engagement, among other things that ultimately improve a person’s quality of life and wellbeing.

The aim is to bridge different perspectives to a shared objective: improving the quality of life for people and giving them tools in a way that improves their wellbeing and sense of belonging. The speakers are:

After hearing presentations from the panel, attendees will be able to advance access to build a sustainable community that is well and able to achieve the best life; bridge people to the resources they need to make this possible; and reflect and ask themselves where they fit in in advancing access and how they can help. 

Join Us in the Exhibit Hall at the ADEA Showcase Booth 811!

Exhibit Hall Opens Today

The Exhibit Hall is open on Sunday, March 22 from noon – 5:00 p.m. and on Monday, March 23, from 9:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., in Room 220 C-E, Second Floor, Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Visit our exhibitors and don’t forget to stop by the ADEA Showcase at Booth 811. The ADEA Showcase booth will highlight not only the Association’s many member offerings, but also the ADEA Headshot Café. Headshots are free and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The ADEA Headshot Café will be open on Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday from 9:45 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.

ADEA is also featuring a First-time Attendees Lounge and a Wellness Center on opposite sides of the Exhibit Hall. The First-time Attendees Lounge caters to those who are attending the Annual Session & Exhibition for the first time.

The Lounge will offer light refreshments, raffles and giveaways, insider tips and a place to meet and network. Representatives from the ADEA Council of Faculties will be there on Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., and representatives from the ADEA Council of Students, Residents and Fellows will be there on Monday from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

New for 2026 is the Wellness Center, which will be open on Sunday from 12:45 – 4:30 p.m. and on Monday from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Attendees can follow floor decals in the Exhibit Hall to a dedicated space designed for relaxation and renewal. They can enjoy a complimentary 15-minute chair massage (walk-in sessions only). Skilled practitioners will use ergonomic methods to deliver targeted massage that relieves tension in the back, neck and shoulders.

ADEA Quest

All visitors to the Exhibit Hall can participate in the ADEA Quest game by downloading the ADEA LIVE mobile app. While on the Exhibit Hall floor Sunday and Monday, attendees visit participating exhibitors to unlock a series of in-app questions by scanning each booth’s unique QR code.

Prizes will be drawn live from the ADEA Showcase (Booth 811) at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Attendees must be present to win.

2026 ADEA GoDental Recruitment Event

The 2026 ADEA GoDental Recruitment Event in Montréal, Québec, Canada, featured guest speakers, breakout sessions and nearly 50 dental schools from the United States and Canada at the ADEA GoDental Recruitment Fair.

More than 500 attendees took the opportunity to network and learn more about the dental school application process, mentoring and shadowing.