Star of the North 2026: The Midwest's Premier Dental Meeting

Since 1883, the Star of the North meeting has been the Midwest's premier dental conference. Organized by the Minnesota Dental Association, it draws 6,000–8,000 dental professionals annually with 200+ exhibitors, 90+ CE sessions, and some of the best networking opportunities in the region.

Star of the North 2026 At a Glance

Dates	April 23-25, 2026 (Thursday–Saturday)
Location	Saint Paul RiverCentre, St. Paul, MN
Attendance	6,000-8,000 dental professionals
Exhibitors	200+
CE Courses	90+ sessions
Registration	star.mndental.org
Organized by	Minnesota Dental Association (since 1883)

Why Star of the North Matters

The Midwest dental market is underserved by major conferences — Chicago Midwinter is the only other large meeting in the region. Star of the North fills a critical gap for dental professionals across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas, and neighboring states. Attendees are practice owners and office managers with purchasing authority who are actively seeking technology solutions to improve efficiency.

Key Topics for 2026

• AI and digital dentistry — artificial intelligence in diagnostics, front desk automation, and patient communication
• Practice management and efficiency — staffing challenges, workflow optimization, and revenue cycle management
• Clinical innovations — restorative, implant, and minimally invasive techniques
• Patient engagement — automated recall, appointment reminders, and online scheduling

Who Should Attend

This conference is ideal for dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, office managers, and practice owners in the Upper Midwest. With 90+ CE sessions, it is one of the most CE-dense meetings in the region — and CE credits are a primary driver of attendance.

Attendance & Foot Traffic

Star of the North consistently draws 6,000–8,000 attendees with 200+ exhibitors. The 2023 meeting reported 6,308 attendees and 211 exhibitors. As one of America's oldest dental meetings (140+ years), it has deep brand loyalty in the Upper Midwest market.

Location: St. Paul, MN

While You're Away, Who's Answering Your Phones?

Days at a conference mean days of missed calls at your practice. An AI receptionist answers every call 24/7, books directly into your PMS, speaks 24+ languages, and keeps your schedule full — so you return to booked appointments, not a full voicemail box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Star of the North?

Star of the North draws 6,000-8,000 attendees with 200+ exhibitors and 90+ CE sessions. The 2023 meeting reported 6,308 attendees and 211 exhibitors. It is one of the oldest dental meetings in America (since 1883) and the premier event for the Upper Midwest.

What states does Star of the North serve?

Primarily Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Attendees also come from across the Midwest. It fills a gap between the Chicago Midwinter and the smaller state-level meetings in the region.

Date: April 23-25, 2026

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