The cost of continuing education varies a lot for dental professionals, depending how you engage. Some online courses cost less than dinner, while multi-day hands-on training intensives can cost thousands of dollars before travel expenses.
Between those two extremes sits another option that’s growing in popularity with dental professionals: CE courses at dental conferences.
A well-designed conference allows attendees to build an educational experience that matches both their interests and their budget. Rather than paying one price for every course, attendees choose where to invest. Some sessions require an additional fee because they involve specialized faculty, equipment, and small-group instruction. Others are included once you’re through the exhibit hall doors.
Yankee Dental Congress has refined this model over many years to make high-quality continuing education accessible to dental professionals at every stage of their careers.
How Complimentary CE Works at Yankee
“Free CE” has become a bit of a buzzword, so it’s natural to wonder what sort of value you’ll receive at no additional cost. Will it be a product presentation repackaged as education? At Yankee Dental Congress, we hold all courses to a high bar. Each one is reviewed by our team for educational value and before it qualifies for approval as a CE credit course.
Many complementary sessions and courses at Yankee are available to exhibit hall attendees, all of which have met Yankee’s continuing education standards to become part of the program. The expo pass is more than an admission ticket. Along with their affordable paid pass to the exhibit hall, attendees have additional complementary opportunities to earn CE credits on wide-ranging subjects — new materials, technologies, workflows, and treatment approaches — from the very companies researching and developing them.
The expo pass provides full day access to options for courses selected a la carte, presentations on recent industry trends, conversations with industry leaders, featured speaker sessions, and networking with colleagues. Attendees at all stages of their careers enjoy this range of choices: dentists, practice owners, students, dental assistants, hygienists, and newer professionals watching every dollar. If you’re just getting started, the numerous choices at no additional cost make it easier to find the right CE for the next step of your career.
Mix Free Courses With Premium Learning
We’ve designed the educational model of Yankee Dental Congress so that attendees aren’t locked into any single package or pre-determined schedule. The menu of thousands of course options and CE opportunities includes paid premium courses, presented by Yankee, that match a variety of unique dental professional goals.
Our hands-on courses are popular every year. These small-group sessions allow participants to practice techniques using equipment and materials rather than watching an instructor demonstrate them in a traditional audience session. Participants work through techniques with guidance from experienced faculty. It’s a learning format that online education and large lecture halls simply cannot replicate.
Because every attendee needs workspace, supplies, and direct interaction with faculty, enrollment is intentionally limited. Many courses accommodate only 30 to 35 participants, so they often reach capacity early. That smaller environment is also what makes them valuable.
Many attendees will combine both approaches — complementary CE courses on the exhibit show floor alongside official, premium hands-on courses by Yankee. Attendees have the flexibility to purchase an expo pass, and/or reserve seats for their choice of paid or free dental CE courses. Build your schedule around education opportunities that make the most sense for your budget and professional goals.
Our Volunteers Extend Their Education Budget
Volunteering is another way many attendees make the most of Yankee Dental Congress.
Hundreds of volunteers register for the conference every year, and each one receives complimentary admission to the courses they’re present to support. It’s an excellent option for students and early-career dental professionals who need options for continuing dental education and are interested in contributing to the Yankee community.
Build the Schedule That Works for You
No two attendees have the same learning goals.
One person may spend most of the conference in exhibitor education sessions. Another may invest in several advanced hands-on courses. Many combine both approaches to create a schedule that fits their interests, budget, and CE requirements.
It’s this unmatched flexibility that keeps dental teams traveling to Yankee from every corner of the nation.
If you’re searching for dental continuing education that offers both value and variety, explore the educational opportunities available at Yankee Dental Congress. You can build a schedule around free exhibitor education, premium CE courses, or a combination of both.
One Conference. Many Different Budgets.
Continuing education isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t have to fit one budget, either. Come to Yankee Dental Congress for a customizable schedule of dental continuing education that’s tailored to both your professional goals and your wallet. Explore all of your Yankee CE options here.
FAQs
Dental continuing education consists of courses and educational activities that help dental professionals maintain licensure, stay current on new techniques, and expand their clinical and practice management knowledge.
Yes. Many approved CE courses are available in the exhibit hall at no additional cost to attendees with eligible expo access. These sessions cover a variety of clinical and business topics.
An expo pass provides access to the exhibit hall, product demonstrations, networking opportunities, and many exhibitor-sponsored continuing education sessions.
No. Hands-on courses are separate premium courses that attendees can purchase individually in addition to an expo pass.
Hands-on courses require instructors, equipment, materials, and small class sizes so participants can practice techniques. Those resources make them more expensive to deliver than lecture-based sessions.
Hands-on courses have limited enrollment because each participant requires equipment, materials, workspace, and direct instruction from faculty.
No. Free educational sessions are available to all eligible attendees, including hygienists, dental assistants, students, and office staff.
Yes. Students are welcome to attend and can participate in educational sessions, explore the exhibit hall, network with dental professionals, and volunteer during the conference.
Yes. Between expo passes, exhibitor-sponsored CE, volunteer opportunities, and a la carte course registration, attendees can choose an educational experience that fits both their learning goals and their budget.