Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

What is ADA FDI World Dental Congress 2019?
ADA FDI 2019 is a jointly held meeting by the ADA and FDI. 

Where is ADA FDI 2019 being held?
The 2019 meeting is being held in San Francisco, California at the Moscone Center. The meetings will take place in all three buildings at Moscone Center – North, South and West. The address of the center is 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

What are the dates of ADA FDI 2019?
To view the entire preliminary schedule of events please visit  the General Information page.

When will the preliminary program will be available? 
The Preliminary Program will be available in mid-February. You can order through the ADA catalog or download online.

Will there be a keynote speaker at the meeting?
Yes, there will be a keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremony and General Session Event on Thursday evening.  Register to attend on the Events Page in the registration system.

Can I bring my family to the meeting?
Yes, you may register to bring your family to the meeting. Guests can attend events, the exhibit hall floor and some continuing education classes. Each guest must be registered individually for their own badge for entrance. Children are also permitted in course rooms without a ticket; however they may not register for a course or occupy a seat. Strollers are not permitted inside course rooms. 

Is there child care during ADA FDI 2019?
The ADA does not provide child care. However, some official ADA hotels do offer childcare services. Please check with the concierge at your booked hotel for recommendations of these services.

Is there a preferred airline carrier for the show?
For all travel and transportation info please visit the Air Travel page.

Is there transportation from the airport to the hotel?
The ADA is offering a discount for SuperShuttle for airport transportation. For all travel and transportation info please visit the Transportation page.

Is the ADA offering tours in San Francisco?
The ADA is partnering with a tour vendor in San Francisco. Additional details are be available on the ADA 2019 website.  

Where can I get a scooter or wheelchair for the exhibit hall floor?
If you need special assistance, please check the appropriate box during the registration process and the ADA will contact you. Wheelchairs will be available for use within the convention center at no charge.
If you would like to rent your own scooter or wheelchair, please contact:
Scootaround 
TOLL FREE number: (888) 638-0914
Or you can request on their website.

What other dental meetings, professional organizations and alumni groups are meeting during ADA FDI 2019?
There are many dental related groups, professional organizations and alumni groups that will be meeting during the ADA Annual Meeting.  A list of these groups will be available online starting in February.  For more detailed information about a specific meeting, please contact the group directly.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
For additional Registration or Housing questions, please contact Experient at ada@experient-inc.com or 800.974.2925. Please note: registrations are not accepted over the phone.
For additional General questions, please contact the ADA at annualmeeting@ada.org.

I heard that registration this year is free, is that true?
It is true that registration is free for all North American attendees and International Member Dentists. International nonmember dentists and attendees are required to purchase the International Package.  

What is the VIP Package?
The VIP Package is new for 2019. Attendees who elect to upgrade to the VIP package will receive white-glove service. There are a limited number of VIP Package upgrades available. For more details about the VIP package please visit the Registration page. 

Do I need to register for the optional events? 
Preregistration is required for all events and courses at ADA FDI 2019. Your badge will be scanned for entrance at all events and courses.

When will registration be open for ADA FDI 2019?
Registration will open to the public on February 13, 2019 at 9 a.m. C.T.  For all registration information please visit the Registration page.

What is the deadline to register?
Registration will open February 13 and remain open through on-site registration during the annual meeting. August 18 is the deadline to reserve your housing in the ADA block.

How do I register?
Register online for the most up to date and accurate information! On February 13, 2019, the registration link will be available on the Registration page. We strongly recommended registering online to ensure real-time availability of courses, events and housing.

Can I register over the phone?
No, registrations are not accepted over the phone. Please register online by visiting the Registration page after February 13, 2019.

Can I register by fax or mail?
You can register by fax or mail, however please note that availability of courses, events and housing requested by fax or mail are not guaranteed. We strongly recommended registering online to ensure real-time availability of courses, events and housing.

How do I make a change to my already submitted registration?
Please log back in to your account via the Registration page. Once you are logged back in, you can update your information, add or change courses and events, complete your registration again. You will receive a new confirmation email after completing this process showing the changes you made.

I want to register but I do not know my registration type?
Please visit Policies for detailed information regarding the various registration types.

Do I need to register my spouse?
Registering friends and family allows them access to the Exhibit Hall, and the ability to register for various courses and events.

How do I add family or my dental team to my registration?
There is the ability to add additional Dentist, Dental Team, Students and Guests to your registration record in the online registration system. Log back into your account and select the appropriate registration category on the dashboard.

I am a dental office staff member; can I attend without my doctor?
Yes, dental staff can register and attend the annual meeting without being connected to a registered dentist. When registering, please select “Dental Team” as your registration category.

Will my registration materials be sent in the mail?
No, registration materials will not be sent via the mail. U.S. and Canadian attendees will have the ability to pay $10 to have their badge mailed to them. In order to pay to have your badge mailed you must register before August 16 and select the option on the Profile page. There will be several locations both at the convention center and various hotels to pick up your registration packet beginning on Tuesday, September 3.

Where do I pick up my badge and tickets if I did not receive them in the mail?
Current registrants will be able to pick up their badge at various remote registration locations both at the convention center and various hotels. If you need to make a change to an existing registration or create a new registration you must visit Main Registration in Moscone North Lobby.

What are the hours of on-site Registration?
The exact registration hours are still being determined but registration will open on Tuesday, September 3 and will close up at noon on Sunday, September 8.

Can I register on-site?
Yes, however we recommend preregistering to avoid potential lines on-site as well as to guarantee your first choice of education and housing. A photo I.D. is required for all on-site registrations. If applicable, please bring your student I.D.

I cannot attend ADA FDI 2019 and need a refund, how do I do that?
To receive a refund, all requests must be postmarked or sent no later than August 16, 2019.  You may send your request to ada@experient-inc.com or fax to 888-772-1888. Registration and course cancellation/refund requests must be in writing.  
No refunds will be accepted or granted after August 16, 2019 – including absences due to illness, late arrivals, weather or parking difficulties.

Do I need a visa?
Please consult your local U.S. consulate to determine if you need a visa. U.S. Applications can take some time to process. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

How do I apply for a visa?
Applying 4–6 months in advance for a United States visa is strongly recommended.
To get started, visit the Visa Procedure page or go to the U.S. State Department website.
When you register and pay online, you can instantly receive an official letter of invitation. This letter is intended to facilitate your visa application.
If you register and pay online but your visa application is denied, you will receive a full refund after the meeting has ended.

Will my registration materials be sent in the mail?
No, registration materials will not be sent via the mail. There will be several locations both at the convention center and various hotels to pick up your registration packet beginning on Tuesday, September 3. Canadian attendees will have the ability to pay $10 to have their badge mailed to them. In order to pay to have your badge mailed you must register before August 16 and select the option on the Profile page.

Where do I pick up my badge and materials on-site?
Current registrants will be able to pick up their badge at various remote registration locations both at the convention center and various hotels. If you need to make a change to an existing registration or create a new registration you must visit Main Registration in Moscone North Lobby.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Any additional international questions for international attendees can be addressed by ADA International Relations. Please call 312.440.2726 or email international@ada.org.

What is the Headquarters Hotel?
The ADA Headquarters hotel is the Marriott Marquis. The FDI Headquarters hotel is the InterContinental San Francisco. Neither hotel is available for general attendees to book housing.

Where are the official ADA hotels located?
Please view the Hotel Map.

Do the hotel rates include tax?
The hotel rates listed on the map are exclusive of any taxes and fees.

How do I make a hotel reservation at a discounted rate?
You must be registered for the annual meeting in order to make a reservation at an official ADA hotel. The final step in the online registration process is selection of your hotel.
Please note that reservations must be made through the ADA registration system in order to book rooms at the negotiated rates. These rates are not available by contacting the hotel directly.

Can I get a list of courses being offered?
View the Online Course Planner to see course offerings and plan your schedule.

Do I need a ticket to attend a free course?
All courses require preregistration. New this year, we will not be printing tickets for individual courses, you will use your badge to scan into all pre-registered sessions.  
How do I register to attend a course?
You can register for courses online through the registration process. Courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For the most up-to-date course availability, please register online. 

Can I exchange a course for another course that is the same fee?
Switching courses for the same fee, as long as the new course has availability, is permitted.  After the cancellation deadline of August 16, 2019 if you switch a course that results in a refund due you will not be refunded the difference in course prices.

The no-fee course I want to take is sold out, is there any way to get a ticket?
Once a no-fee course is sold out, a ticket cannot be issued through the registration system. However, on the day of the course, you can attempt to secure standby seating by proceeding to the course location on the show floor and getting in the standby line. Admittance to a no-fee course is not guaranteed, but if there are seats available after all ticket holders are seated at the published start time of the course, room monitors will allow attendees without tickets to enter, on a first- come, first-served basis until no more space is available.
There is no stand by or wait list policy for fee lectures and workshops.

How do I know what room my course is in?
All room numbers are listed in the printed Onsite Guide as well as and in the Conference Mobile App. All room numbers are listed in the printed Onsite Guide as well as the Conference Mobile App.

How many CE credits is each course worth?
Courses are worth 1.0 CE credit hour for each clock hour, unless otherwise indicated.  An additional half hour is worth half a CE credit. Please see course details in Online Course Planner or in registration site for more information.  It is the attendee’s responsibility to check with their state board to determine if chosen courses will be accepted for credit.

How do I keep track of my CE credits?
You can download a certificate showing your CE credits after the annual meeting. To verify and track your CE from 2015-2018, please visit the Verify Your CE page.

Are children allowed in course rooms?
Children are permitted in course rooms; however they may not register for a course or occupy a seat. Strollers are not permitted inside course rooms.