By: Bryan Savage, DDS

Cheers to a productive, engaging and fun 2026 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC). Once again, the incredible MDDS professional team and volunteer dentists put together a premier convention. Approximately 6,500 attendees were treated to some of the best dental speakers in the country, covering a wide range of topics. Between lectures, the Expo Hall was electric and full of opportunities to learn about new products while connecting with colleagues and vendors from across the profession.

From a personal perspective, the three days were incredibly rewarding, and I’m looking forward to seeing how RMDC continues to grow and evolve in the years ahead. I was able to attend the lectures and host five speakers/researchers from the ADA Forsyth Institute in Boston, MA. A great deal of what they discussed was far outside my normal scope of practice as a pediatric dentist, and I found it fascinating. Topics ranged from the oral microbiome’s influence on blood pressure to the systemic effects of inflammation linked to periodontal disease to detailed dental evaluations that help identify environmental exposures affecting tooth composition and development. It was awesome to hear the latest research. My wife loves to call me a “dental dork”, and I was flying that flag loud and proud during the convention. Our knowledge surrounding the impact of oral health on systemic health continues to grow, and as dental professionals, we will need to stay informed and work in collaboration with our medical partners to provide our patients with the best possible care.

Next year, RMDC will continue to grow the Integrated Healthcare Summit and build on a medical/dental integration model. The MDDS Education Committee is already busy developing a robust schedule of courses that, in addition to our core programming, will place added emphasis on this important focus. The RMDC Expo Hall will continue to offer additional medical screenings, diagnostic testing such as glucose monitoring, saliva testing and more. Testing will help to increase our understanding of how these concepts can be integrated into our dental practices.

RMDC provides an opportunity for us to meet face-to-face once a year and share ideas. Casual conversations over meals, along with time spent in the Expo Hall, create a valuable setting for gaining additional insights. These conversations reinforce our knowledge of dental care, help us find commonality and provide relief in knowing that we are not alone in the challenges that our profession presents.

We’re fortunate to have more CE options than ever, many available online, including 67 hours of recorded RMDC lectures. Still, there’s undeniable value in stepping away for a few days and experiencing the energy, learning, and connections that only an in-person conference can provide. I have found that the break from the office is not only beneficial for us dentists but for our teams as well.

RMDC is one of the most valuable benefits of MDDS membership. As members, this is your convention and your input matters. Please share any recommendations or insights that can help elevate the experience for everyone.