CDA Presents 2027 brings 180+ dental courses, 130+ speakers and 450+ exhibitors to the Anaheim Convention Center on 13-15 May for West Coast dental teams.
Dates
13–15 May 2027
City / country
Anaheim, United States
Venue
Anaheim Convention Center
Time
6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
CDA Presents The Art and Science of Dentistry is the California Dental Association's flagship annual convention, bringing the West Coast dental community to the Anaheim Convention Center on 13-15 May 2027. More than 180 lectures and hands-on workshops, 130+ speakers and 450+ exhibitors turn three days into a practical update on clinical technique, digital workflows, practice growth and team development.
Dentists, hygienists, assistants and practice owners come for continuing education, live demos and direct supplier conversations in one exhibit hall. It is a working meeting rather than a consumer show: come with a course plan, a supplier list and time to compare equipment side by side.
TL;DR
Build a focused CE schedule across clinical, digital and practice-management tracks, then walk one exhibit hall to compare the equipment and software you are actively considering. The show works best when you pre-book workshops, arrive early for registration and leave Friday afternoon for supplier meetings.
Exhibitors reach dentists, hygienists, assistants and practice owners from California and neighbouring states in a single hall, with booth traffic concentrated around course breaks. The official 10x10 inline rate is USD 6,350, making a first Anaheim booth easier to justify than at larger national meetings.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802, United States
Entrances & gates
Katella Avenue main entrance
Closest to the parking garages and ride-hailing drop-off; follow signs to the lobby for your registration area.
USD 25 daily on-site parking; arrive early before course start times.
$25.00/day
ADA parking is available in Car Park 1 and Car Park 4; ask the attendant and use the lobby elevators to reach session rooms.
Food options
Convention center concessions
On-site diningParking: On-site parking is USD 25 per day; Car Park 1 and Car Park 4 are the most accessible, with ADA spaces available on request to the attendant.
Gate: Use the Katella Avenue entrances and follow signs to the lobby matching your registration area; Hall D handles registration support.
Attend
Event days & opening times
CDA member dentist registration
Registration fee waived for active CDA members in good standing.
Non-CDA member California dentist - advanced
On-site rate is USD 1,050.
Out-of-state ADA member dentist - advanced
On-site rate is USD 199.
Non-CDA dental team member or guest - advanced
On-site rate is USD 40; workshops and lectures may carry separate fees.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Registration support is in Hall D; youth passes for children 10 and younger are collected there. Bring a photo ID and your confirmation email.
Ticket notes
All lectures and workshops require advance registration even when included. Early-bird workshop pricing ends April 21 and the cancellation deadline is April 26 at midnight.
Registration deadline
Open online through the last day of the convention.
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 19,093
Exhibitors: 450
This edition
2027
Visitors: 20,000
Exhibitors: 480
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Impact
The 2026 edition drew 19,093 registered attendees, a modest rise on 18,459 in 2025 and the largest total in the four years published. For a West Coast dental brand, that is a concentrated pool of clinicians and practice owners within a short drive of most California practices.
Audience quality
The audience is professional and purchase-influenced: practice owners and partners choose equipment, while hygienists and assistants influence consumables and chairside products. Attendance is regional, centred on California and neighbouring states, so a booth reaches the buyers who specify for West Coast practices rather than a purely national sample.
Exhibitor outcomes
At USD 6,350 for a 10x10 inline booth, the show needs roughly 13-20 qualified conversations to justify a first stand on a simple cost-per-lead view. The concentration of owners and the three-day course schedule make pre-booked demos more valuable than passive floor traffic; no audited ROI or rebooking rate is published.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
CDA Presents is the California Dental Association's flagship annual meeting and the largest dental gathering on the US West Coast. Its Anaheim edition draws a regional buyer base of practice owners, clinicians and team members who specify equipment and services for their practices.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital workflows move from scanner to full chairside production
Intraoral scanning, CAD/CAM and in-office 3D printing are being packaged as end-to-end workflows rather than standalone devices. Buyers now compare software integration, material choices and same-day restorative outcomes.
What it changes: Equipment decisions increasingly hinge on the software ecosystem and consumable supply, not just hardware specifications.
Practice management shifts toward automation and patient communication
Scheduling, insurance verification, recall and patient messaging are being automated, while DSOs standardise systems across locations. Practice owners are evaluating fewer, more integrated platforms.
What it changes: Software vendors can reach owner and manager buyers directly at the show, and integration stories matter more than feature lists.
Team-based CE and staffing remain the binding constraint
Clinicians are bringing hygienists, assistants and front-office staff to shared courses, while practices use training and career-path programmes to retain teams in a tight labour market.
What it changes: Exhibitors that support team training and onboarding can position products as productivity solutions, not just clinical tools.
CDA Presents sits in a national circuit of regional dental meetings. Buyers typically choose one West Coast meeting and one national or specialty event per year.
Yankee Dental Congress
Boston, United States
Dates are indicative circuit planning dates; confirm on the organiser site.
websiteChicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting
Chicago, United States
Dates are indicative circuit planning dates; confirm on the organiser site.
websiteHinman Dental Meeting
Atlanta, United States
Dates are indicative circuit planning dates; confirm on the organiser site.
websiteCircuit dates are planning estimates, not organiser-confirmed 2027 calendars.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
John Wayne Airport (Santa Ana)
Closest airport; taxis and ride-hailing pick up outside the terminal.
About 14 miles
to venue
20-30 minutes
by car
Los Angeles International Airport
Largest international gateway; allow extra time on weekday afternoons.
About 35 miles
to venue
45-75 minutes depending on traffic
by car
Long Beach Airport
Smaller alternative with limited carriers.
About 20 miles
to venue
30-40 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 95–150 / night
Simple motels within a short drive or walk of the convention center; book early for May.
USD 180–270 / night
Walkable to the convention center with breakfast and pool; best balance for a three-day show.
USD 290–450 / night
Closest full-service options and likely show housing hotels; expect peak rates during the convention.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART)
Useful between hotels, the convention center and Disneyland Resort; check the current route map.
Ride-hailing / taxi
Use the designated pickup zone at SNA; surge pricing is common on weekday evenings.
OCTA bus
Cheaper but slower; useful from budget hotels outside the resort area.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor visa | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and are attending a professional convention or meetings. | $185.00 | Several weeks to several months; apply early | |
| ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program | Eligible passport holders from VWP countries travelling for business or tourism for up to 90 days. | $40.00 | Usually minutes to 72 hours |
Canadian citizens generally enter the US visa-free for business visits with appropriate documentation; other nationalities should check VWP eligibility before booking.
The US accepts ATA Carnets for qualifying temporary exhibits and professional equipment; confirm with a customs broker and the venue's official freight contractor.
Official visa pageWeather
May in Anaheim is warm and mostly dry: daytime highs around 24C (75F) and overnight lows around 15C (59F), with little rain.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Convention center Wi-Fi is available in public areas; exhibitors should order dedicated internet through the venue's official services provider.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
Restaurant servers expect 18-20% before tax; bartenders and hotel housekeeping are typically tipped USD 2-5.
Business etiquette
Meetings start on time and small talk is brief; confirm appointments by email and exchange business cards at the end of a conversation.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: SNA (John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana)
Book 6-10 weeks ahead for May; SNA is closest, while LAX usually has more international connections.
Book flightsMost European and several other nationalities can use the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA; others need a B-1 business visitor visa.
Estimated cost: ESTA about USD 40; B-1/B-2 visa application fee about USD 185
Processing: ESTA usually within 72 hours; visa interviews can take weeks to months
This is planning guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current rules before booking.
OfficialPartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: SNA is about 20-30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing; LAX is 45-75 minutes depending on traffic.
Hotel → venue: Most Anaheim Resort hotels are a 10-20 minute walk or a short ART ride from the convention center.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate throughout Orange County; use designated pickup zones at SNA and the convention center.
Public transit: ART circulates along Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue; OCTA buses serve wider Orange County.
Parking: On-site convention center parking is USD 25 per day; Car Park 1 and Car Park 4 are the most accessible.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 15-24C (59-75F)
Seasonality: Mostly dry with low rain probability; coastal marine layer can keep mornings cool.
Packing: Light layers, comfortable walking shoes and a jacket for air-conditioned session rooms.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Thursday
Thursday opens with the fullest course schedule and the first full exhibit-hall day, so product teams are fresh and demo slots are easier to secure. Friday is busier; Saturday closes at 3:30pm and is better for follow-ups.
Book Anaheim hotel and confirm cancellation terms — Show dates fall in a busy convention month; the official housing block opens in December.
Build the course schedule and register for workshops — All lectures and workshops require advance registration.
Print or download badge confirmation and photo ID — Registration support is in Hall D.
Plan supplier meetings and download the exhibit hall map — Prioritise the 10-15 booths that match your purchase list.
Check flight, weather and SNA transfer — Allow extra time for Thursday morning registration.
Badge pickup and coffee
Hall D registrationClinical lecture or hands-on workshop
Session rooms, Anaheim Convention CenterSupplier meetings and product demos
Exhibit hallSecond course block and follow-up calls
Session rooms / lobby seatingDisneyland Resort
Theme Park
About 10 minutes by ART or rideshare
Convenient evening add-on for attendees travelling with family; discounted tickets are promoted by CDA.
Huntington Beach
Coastal Day Trip
About 30-40 minutes by car
Beach walk and casual dinner after the show closes on Saturday.
Exhibit hall Spark Park
Show floor
Innovation theater, product playground and sponsored lounges create natural conversation points.
CDA Party
Official social event
Ticketed evening event promoted by the organiser; good for informal peer networking.
Dental practices evaluate equipment over weeks, often after a partner or office manager review. A fast, specific follow-up keeps your product in the shortlist while the show experience is still fresh.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 680–780 / m²
Raw space
USD 800–850 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Official printed rates: USD 6,350 inline, USD 6,900 corner and USD 76 per sq ft island. Per-square-metre figures are derived: USD 76/sq ft is about USD 818/sqm; the inline rate is about USD 683/sqm. Shell inclusions are indicative pending the exhibitor manual.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · inline 10x10
USD 6350 / booth
hotel
both · mid
USD 180–270 / night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 60–90 / day
visa
visitor · ESTA
USD 40 / application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | inline 10x10 | USD 6350 / booth | official | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 180–270 / night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 60–90 / day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| visa | visitor | ESTA | USD 40 / application | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions score whether this show is worth a visit, an exhibitor investment or a skip this cycle.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your travel and booth budget?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a defined learning goal or an active equipment shortlist.
Best for
Clinicians and practice owners who need CE and want to compare products before a purchase.
Min. budget
$1,200.00
Timeline
Book 6-10 weeks ahead; register courses when the schedule opens.
Risks
Course seats fill early
Hotel rates rise during May
exhibit
You can staff the booth for three days and follow up within 48 hours.
Best for
Dental equipment, materials and software suppliers selling to West Coast practices and DSOs.
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
Apply by the November group deadline for priority space; build 90 days out.
Risks
Floor traffic varies by course schedule
Lead follow-up capacity may be strained
skip
Budget or timing makes the trip impractical and online CE covers your needs.
Best for
Buyers with no travel budget, no active purchase and no CE requirement this year.
Timeline
Reassess for the 2028 edition.
Risks
Missing relationship-building with West Coast suppliers
Book with
Anaheim Convention Center
Official venue at 800 W Katella Ave, with Hall D handling registration support and youth-pass pickup.
Venue named on the official CDA pages.
Visit Anaheim
Official Orange County destination resource for hotel areas, dining and things to do around the convention.
Public destination body for the host city; not named as a show partner.
California Dental Association
Professional association of California dentists and the organiser of CDA Presents.
Organiser named on the official event pages.
Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART)
Public circulator serving the Anaheim Resort, hotels and the convention center along Harbor and Katella.
Public transit agency for the host city; not a show sponsor.
Recommended providers
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs
Check B-1 business visitor rules and current visa fees.
Maritz Travel (CDA housing company)
CDA names Maritz as its housing company; the 2027 booking link opens in December.
Compare SNA against LAX; SNA is closest to the venue.
Typical US exhibition contractor; confirm the official 2027 handler in the exhibitor service kit.
Compare short-term event liability and exhibitor property cover; confirm venue requirements.
Book Disneyland or coastal day trips around show hours.
Use badge scanning or a hosted form and export leads to your CRM within 48 hours.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
6 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
5
References
1
Publishers
5
Date checked
California Dental Association
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
