College of Dentistry selected to host 2026 Canadian Oral Health Summit

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Dentistry has been selected to the host the 2026 Canadian Oral Health Summit (COHS), a national gathering that will bring leaders in oral-health education, research, and care to Saskatoon from June 18–20, 2026.

The Canadian Oral Health Summit is presented by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD), the national voice for academic dentistry in Canada. Representing all 10 Canadian dental schools, the ACFD supports excellence in teaching, research, oral-health care, and faculty development across the country. The association holds large, in-person conferences every two years, typically in June at one of its member institutions.

The 2026 Summit will take place at the College of Dentistry in Saskatoon and will be guided by the theme “Advancing Interprofessional Oral Health Education, Research, and Care.” The theme will highlight collaboration, innovation, and the future of oral health in Canada, bringing together educators, researchers, clinicians, and students from across the country.

“This is a tremendous honour for our college and our university,” said Dr. Walter Siqueira (DDS), dean of the College of Dentistry. “We are incredibly proud to host colleagues from across Canada and look forward to welcoming participants to the USask campus for what promises to be an inspiring and impactful event. The summit will be an opportunity to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and collectively shape the future of oral health education and care.”

The 2026 theme reflects national priorities as well as the unique strengths of the USask College of Dentistry. USask is the only Canadian dental school to house four oral‑health programs under one roof and is the only university in the country with all health‑science programs on one campus. This structure enables an integrated and interprofessional model that supports collaboration across dentistry, dental hygiene, dental therapy, dental assisting and the broader health sciences.

The Canadian Oral Health Summit serves as a forum for universities and colleges to learn from one another and to showcase the latest research, innovations, and advances in oral health. Participants will have numerous opportunities to engage, collaborate, and contribute to discussions that shape the profession nationwide.

Call for proposals for participation and abstracts now open

The organizing committee is inviting the submission of research abstracts from students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty members at Canadian universities and colleges. Submissions should focus on topics related to oral health and will be peer-reviewed by a conference committee panel. Selected authors will be invited to present their work through oral or poster presentations at the Summit.

In addition to research abstracts, the summit is also accepting proposals for a range of academic, clinical, and collaborative activities, including:

• Symposia
• Workshops
• Lunch & Learn sessions
• Opportunities focused on new collaborations and partnerships

Proposals that involve participation across professions, institutions, disciplines, and sectors will be prioritized. Submissions that include speakers or participants with diverse backgrounds and experiences are strongly encouraged.

Submission Deadline:
All abstracts and proposals must be submitted by 11:59 pm CST on January 5, 2026.

Complete details about submissions, participation opportunities, and the 2026 Canadian Oral Health Summit are avaiable at: https://dentistry.usask.ca/cohs-2026.php

Registration details for the summit will be announced in the new year.