8 practical tips to mastering networking at dental industry events

Grow Community
19 March 2025
6 minute read

Networking at industry events can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and solutions that can help you grow your career and your dental practice. However, for many of us, striking up conversations and making meaningful connections with strangers can feel daunting. Whether you’re attending an association conference or a networking event, here are 8 practical pointers to help you make the most of your networking opportunities:

1. Set clear networking goals

Before attending an event, think about what you want to achieve. Are you looking to connect with potential industry or subject matter experts? Learn from experienced practice owners or explore new suppliers? Having a goal will help you focus your conversations and make the experience more purposeful.

2. Perfect your introduction

Your introduction should be brief but engaging. Instead of just stating your name and role, consider saying it in a way that invites conversation. For example:

"Hi, I’m Dr. Sarah Collins, a dentist with a keen interest to learn about the latest tech that can improve patient care. What’s been the most exciting development you’ve come across recently?"

3. Ask open-ended questions

Instead of relying on small talk, try asking open-ended questions that encourage great conversations. Here are some options to have up your sleeve:

• What’s been the biggest change in your practice in the past year?
• What brought you to this event?
• What’s a challenge in dentistry that you think doesn’t get talked about enough?

These types of questions invite others to share their experiences, making your conversations more engaging and memorable.

4. Be a good listener

Active listening is key to building strong connections. Give the person you’re speaking with your full attention - maintain eye contact, nod in agreement, and ask follow-up questions. Avoid looking around the room for your next conversation partner while someone is speaking.

5. Have a few talking points ready

If you tend to feel nervous in networking situations, prepare a few topics in advance that you can discuss. These could be industry trends, a recent event you attended, or even a topic from a Grow Lane article that caught your interest.

6. Use social media to your advantage

Many industry events have hashtags or LinkedIn groups where attendees can connect before and after the event. Engaging with these platforms can help you recognise familiar faces, making it easier to strike up conversations in person.

7. Exit conversations gracefully

It’s important to move around and meet multiple people at an event. When wrapping up a conversation, be polite and express appreciation: "It was great chatting with you, and I’d love to stay in touch. I’m going to mingle a bit more, but let’s connect on LinkedIn!"

8. Follow up after the event

Networking doesn’t end when the event does. If you had a great conversation with someone, send them a quick LinkedIn message or email to stay connected. A simple, personalised note referencing your conversation will make you stand out, for example:

"Hi Jack, I really enjoyed our chat about finding a good dental assistant at ADX Brisbane. I’d love to stay in touch - let’s catch up soon!"

Ready to put these tips into action?

The best way to improve your networking skills is to practise. Whether you’re attending a conference, or a local dental association meeting, use these pointers to build meaningful connections. Over time, networking will feel more natural, and you’ll start to see the benefits in both your professional growth and your practice.

Join Grow Community today for insightful resources and support to help you on your professional journey. Click here to register, or email info@growcommunity.com.au to find out more.

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