Florida dental associations: a guide for practices
By Blake Hickey, founder of Double Jaw Marketing, Jupiter, Florida. Last reviewed November 2026.
Which associations should a Florida dental practice know?
Start with the Florida Dental Association and its local component in your area, then your specialty's state society: the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons for oral surgeons and the Southern Association of Orthodontists region for orthodontists. Their meetings are where referral relationships, CE and new ideas tend to meet.
When I was a jaw surgery patient, the best moments came from doctors who knew each other and referred with confidence. A lot of those relationships start in rooms like these. This list is a starting point, written from public information. Check each organization's own site for current dates and rules.
Statewide and national groups
| Organization | Who it serves | Main meeting (as of Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Dental Association | General and specialty dentists and their teams | Florida Dental Convention, June 24 to 26, 2027, Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee/Orlando) |
| Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | Fall Conference with exhibitors (most recent November 6, 2026) |
| American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | Oral surgeons nationwide | Annual meeting, September 20 to 25, 2027, San Antonio, Texas |
| American Association of Orthodontists | Orthodontists and their teams | Annual Session, June 4 to 6, 2027, Vancouver, Canada |
| Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists | Speech-language pathologists and audiologists | Annual convention each summer (2027 dates not yet posted) |
Training programs that shape tomorrow's referrals
Residents become the surgeons and specialists your practice refers to. Florida programs include the UF Jacksonville oral and maxillofacial surgery program and the Jackson Health oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in Miami.
Want help turning those relationships into booked consults? See how we work with oral surgeons.
Getting involved without the awkwardness
- Go to one local component meeting before you sponsor anything.
- Bring something useful: a referral pad your team actually likes, or a short case talk.
- Follow up within a week with a thank-you, not a pitch.
Double Jaw Marketing is not affiliated with, endorsed by or a member of these organizations. Names belong to their owners. Details are from each organization's public website as of November 2026 and can change. This page is general information, not legal or professional advice.
Sources: FDA convention info, FSOMS events, AAOMS 2027 meeting listing, AAO 2027 in Vancouver, FLASHA.
See also: Orthodontists · Speech-language pathologists · South Florida dental marketing · Jaw surgery marketing · Free resources