How to become a dental speaker: steps, proposals, disclosures

A dental speaker is a person who presents lectures, workshops or keynotes at dental meetings. This post describes the process that public pages show: speaker bureaus, calls for proposals, conference speaker pages and the ADA disclosure rule. It is a process guide only. It gives no personal advice and does not promise bookings. Nothing here names any fee.

What does a dental speaker do?

A dental speaker presents on a topic to dentists, hygienists, assistants or office teams. A keynote is the main talk at a meeting. Other sessions include lectures and hands-on workshops. A dental conference usually has many of these sessions.

The Mid-Continent Dental Congress shows what a speaker listing looks like. Its 2026 speakers page gives each speaker a name, a talk title, a bio and credentials.

How do speakers get in front of meeting planners?

Most paths run through a planner’s request, a call for proposals, or a speaker listing. The table below compares the three that public pages describe.

The Dental Speakers Bureau is one example. It tells planners to give basic information about the event. It then emails its speakers about the program’s needs. Speakers with a good match email the planner a proposal. The planner contacts the speakers who look like a fit. The bureau also lists a Call for Speaker Proposal on its home page. This post names the bureau only as a source and does not endorse it. Ask any bureau what it charges and how it lists speakers before you sign up.

What goes into a proposal?

A proposal has five parts. The bureau names four of them: a course synopsis, learning objectives, a bio and past presentations. The fifth is the event match: the topic, the time slot and the audience the planner stated.

1. Course synopsis: a short summary of what the session covers.
2. Learning objectives: what an attendee can do after the session.
3. Speaker bio: credentials and experience stated truthfully.
4. Past presentations: where and when the speaker presented.
5. Event fit: how the topic matches the planner’s request.

Planners may ask for more. Always follow the planner’s written request first.

What is a speaker showcase?

A bureau may hold an event where speakers present short samples for planners. The Dental Speakers Bureau lists one called WEvolution on May 6 to 7, 2027, in Phoenix. Its page invites speakers to “Showcase your presentation and be scouted!” and says planners can scout two dozen speakers in one day. The page also says speakers can be scouted by industry planners and can network with other meeting professionals there.

This is one bureau’s event, described on its own page. Other bureaus and conferences run their own versions, so read each one’s terms.

How does a speaker listing show disclosures?

The Mid-Continent Dental Congress page repeats the same pattern for every speaker. Each entry lists the talk titles, a bio, credentials and a “Financial Relationship” line. The lines read “None Reported” for some speakers and name the kind of tie for others, such as honorarium, consultant, grants or other financial. A planner or attendee can see the ties at a glance. This matches the ADA Code idea that disclosure belongs in the promotional material.

What do planners check about credit?

Continuing education credit depends on the host. The AGD FAQ says only courses hosted by approved program providers count toward its awards. It names providers accepted by the Program Approval for Continuing Education, or PACE, and those approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program. A planner who wants attendees to earn CE credit will often ask about this early. It is the host’s approval that matters, not the speaker’s.

For the planner’s side of this, read the meeting planner’s guide to dental speakers.

What must a speaker disclose?

A dentist who presents must disclose financial interests. The ADA Code of Ethics, section 5.C, says disclosure shall be made “in any promotional material and in the presentation itself.” It applies to a seminar or other program where the dentist’s presentation promotes or endorses a company’s products.

The Mid-Continent Dental Congress shows this in practice. Its speaker page lists a “Financial Relationship” line for each speaker, such as “None Reported” or a named company with the type of tie. See what the ADA Code of Ethics says for the other sections.

A speaker who has a question about advertising, endorsement or contracts should ask an attorney. This post is not legal advice.

Where does this fit in continuing education?

Speaking is one end of the continuing education system. The continuing education entry explains the other end, where dentists earn hours. The dental continuing education pillar puts both ends together, and the AGD Mastership requirements post shows how CE hours add up toward an award.

Next step

Read the meeting planner’s guide to dental speakers for the planner’s checklist. Contact Dr. Copeland about speaking.