CHICAGO, October 17, 2024 — Dental Olympics is back for its third year at SmileCon® 2024. Students from dental schools in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma will go head-to-head in a series of competitive events, which will take place on Oct. 18 and 19 during SmileCon in New Orleans, La., at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Opening this year’s Dental Olympics will be Camryn Bryant, D.D.S., a dentist from Hot Springs Village, Ark. The Dental Olympics are sponsored by Pacific Dental Services (PDS).
“Continuing onto our third year of Dental Olympics, this competition has been an exciting addition to the fun of SmileCon for both our member attendees and students involved,” said Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S., 2023-2024 president of the oksport. “These students embody the future of our industry, and their passion for the profession is inspiring as we witness their growth throughout this rewarding experience. Dental Olympics has shown to not only empower the students, but also our current member dentists, helping to affirm confidence that the future of dentistry is in capable hands.”
This year, teams from Louisiana State University, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi and the University of Oklahoma will take part in several competitive events that will test their skills and put their dentistry knowledge to the test. Students will face off in dental trivia and other competitive challenges throughout the two-day event. The winning team will be announced on the last day of SmileCon on Oct. 19.
Located in Dental Central, the four teams will participate in events at the oksport Hub, around Dental Central and at The Sugar Mill during the Bouncin’ Bayou Fest. Attendees are welcome to cheer on their favorite teams and enjoy the friendly competition.
SmileCon’s Dental Olympics 2024 will adhere to the following schedule of events:
- Day 1: Friday, Oct. 18, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the oksport Hub, includes the first round of Dental Trivia, pitting Louisiana State University against the University of Alabama followed by the University of Oklahoma competing against the University of Mississippi. Friday will also feature other events during Bouncin’ at the Bayou Fest.
- Day 2: Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the oksport Hub, includes a surprise competition and the Dental Trivia Finals. The overall winners of this year’s Dental Olympics will be announced during the Awards Celebration from 1:30-1:45 p.m. at the oksport Hub.
“Pacific Dental Services is truly honored to support Dental Olympics at SmileCon for the third year in a row,” said Gary Pickard, senior director of government & industry affairs for PDS. “This event demonstrates the warmth and camaraderie of the dental community, welcoming the new generation of dentists into the fold as the future of our beloved industry.”
For additional information about this year’s Dental Olympics, contact mediarelations@ada.org.
Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow the oksport on “X” @AmerDentalAssn and #oksportSmileCon for updates from SmileCon.