Network and skill up through Now + Next in Dentistry.
Join in fun programs designed just for early career dentists. Connect with peers, leaders and mentors through events near you. This year our experts are speaking on Break Through Your Career Slump: Create Clarity, Purpose and Direction.
Feeling restless, disenchanted or uncertain about your future? You’re not alone. In fact, 30% of dentists who are 6 to 10 years into practice report that they wish they’d chosen another profession. And another 48% might or might not have chosen the field.
A mindset shift can impact clinical performance, patient care and relationships. Explore how to navigate career plateaus to find clarity, purpose and direction with Nathan Yang, DDS, and Soraya Safi, DMD. Join a discussion on the signs and symptoms of career disillusionment and learn how to get unstuck through self-assessment and goal setting. This workshop will provide actionable steps to help reignite your passion and purpose in dentistry and elevate care.
What you’ll learn:
- Understand how to conduct a self-assessment, take control of your mindset and reflect on your values.
- Develop intentional goals and action plans to support professional development, clinical growth and excellent patient care.
- Learn to assess and develop interpersonal skills to build stronger connections with your dental team and patients.
Resources + support
Get insider tips on how to tap into the best member benefits for you.
Focus on the future
Benefit from data-driven insights and dentistry expertise.
Valuable connections
Network with peers, component leaders and dynamic speakers.
Featured Speakers
Nathan Yang, DDS
Dr. Nathan Yang balances being a Dental Director at North East Medical Services, a federally qualified health center and maintaining a private practice with his wife in San Francisco. His dental interests range from implementing new technologies and systems at the community health center to teaching clinical dental photography. He served as clinical assistant professor in the Department of Integrated Reconstructive Dental Sciences from 2007-2018 at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He received his DDS degree from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2006. His interests outside of dentistry include collecting comics, vintage video games, trying to play golf, collecting sneakers and cameras.
Soraya Safi, DMD
Upcoming Events
Join us in Los Angeles!
In collaboration with the Western Los Angeles Dental Society
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Petersen Automotive Museum
Cost: Free for CDA members, $20 for non-members
C.E.: Earn 2 C.E. credits
Join us in Redlands!
In collaboration with the Tri-County Dental Society
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Escape Craft Brewery – Downtown Oasis
Cost: Free for CDA members, $20 for non-members
C.E.: Earn 2 C.E. credits
Join us in Roseville!
In collaboration with the Sacramento District Dental Society
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Topgolf Roseville
Cost: Free for CDA members, $20 for non-members
C.E.: Earn 2 C.E. credits
This event has passed.
Join us in San Jose!
In collaboration with the Santa Clara County Dental Society
Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Topgolf San Jose
Cost: Free for CDA members, $20 for non-members
C.E.: Earn 2 C.E. credits
This event has passed.
Highlights from 2025 events
Is Now + Next right for you?
Our events are designed to support dentists through key points of transition:
- New grads who are determining their paths in dentistry
- Early career and associate dentists seeking expert guidance
- Dentists who want to expand their professional network
Event FAQ
No, these events are open to all dental professionals.
As a CDA member benefit, there is no cost to attend!
Nonmembers and guests can attend for a $20 fee. We encourage you to bring colleagues who are dentists, staff members and friends. Family members are also welcome as most events are hosted at family-friendly locations. For the Petersen Automotive Museum event, please review the museum policies.
It’s easy! Register online at cda.org/NowNextEvents. On-site registration is also available, but we encourage advanced registration to secure your spot. Event attendance is first come, first served. Pre-registered participants will be accommodated first. On-site registration will be accepted only if space is available and is not guaranteed.
- Petersen Automotive Museum: Registration includes general admission to the museum, parking and refreshments.
- Escape Craft Brewery – Downtown Oasis: Registration includes refreshments, Escape’s variety of drink offerings and family-friendly games. The venue is also pet-friendly!
If you need to cancel your registration, contact CDA Events or call 800.232.7645 at your earliest ability so others may have a chance to attend.
Yes! These in-person events are worth two 20% C.E. units for licensed dental professionals.
Your CE will be available in your cda.org account within seven to ten business days after the event. If you don’t receive an email within ten days, please contact us.
- Yes! Complimentary parking is available at both Petersen Automotive Museum and Escape Craft Brewery – Downtown Oasis.
- If you’re attending the event at Petersen Automotive Museum, parking is hosted by CDA. Please review the parking and rideshare information below to help ensure a smooth arrival.
Parking
- Enter the parking garage from Fairfax Boulevard.
- Parking is available on Levels 1–4. Please note: There is no elevator in the parking garage. Guests parking on the upper levels will need to use the stairs to reach the ground floor.
- The museum’s main entrance is located on the ground floor and is accessible directly from the parking garage.
- Parking validations will be provided at check-in for guests parking in the museum garage.
- Guests must keep both the parking ticket and the parking validation, as both are required to exit the garage.
Ride Share Information (Uber/Lyft)
For safety reasons, ride-share vehicles may not stop on Fairfax Avenue or Wilshire Boulevard.
Drop-Off
- Ask your driver to enter the parking garage and drop you off just beyond the ticket dispenser/gate.
- The first 15 minutes are free, so drivers may exit using the same ticket they received upon entering without payment.
Pick-Up
- There is no designated ride-share pick-up area.
- You may meet your driver inside the parking garage or on a nearby street.
- Nearby streets with convenient access include Orange Grove Avenue (east of the museum) and 8th Street (south of the museum).
Thank you to our sponsors!
More ways to learn
CDA is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
CDA designates each activity for a specified number of C.E. units. These courses meet the Dental Board of California requirements for continuing education units.
Need Assistance?
Get guidance with registration or navigating your course options . Call 800.232.7645 or email us for support.