The Next Extraordinary Thing, San Diego, CA, US
A monumental milestone marks our collective journey. Our General Assembly in San Diego has been officially elevated to the IADR Digital Innovation Symposium 2026—an esteemed satellite symposium of the upcoming IADR General Session. This landmark recognition celebrates the ascent of the Thinkers and reaffirms HAIDEN’s place at the forefront of global digital transformation in oral health research and education. It is a moment that unites passion, progress, and purpose—a step that turns collaboration into legacy. We warmly invite you—all of you—to join us in San Diego on March 24th for an extraordinary day of insight, discovery, and visionary dialogue. Together, we will explore the frontiers of AI, VR, AR, and haptic innovation in dental education and research. The event will also feature the “Hands and Minds That Shape the Future” skill and poster competition—a celebration of creativity, skill, and the spirit of collaboration that defines HAIDEN. The future is not approaching. It is unfolding—here, with us.
BEHIND THE NAME HAIDENERS — WHERE PASSION IGNITES CONNECTIONS AND THINKERS UNITE
GLOBAL EVIDENCE-DRIVEN COLLABORATIONS AND EXCELLENCE IN PUBLICATIONS
THE NEXT NORMAL?
The HAIDEN FEELING
Haptic & AI, in Dental Education Network (HAIDEN)
"HAIDEN FEELING" was born and continues to grow on the strong foundation of the VR-Haptic Thinkers Network, a vibrant, international academic community already igniting multi-institutional studies, symposias, and peer-reviewed publications that explore the powerful blend of immersive simulations in dentistry.
Our global network's structure guarantees rigorous methodology, interdisciplinary exchange, and global visibility for the research outcomes—this is the heartbeat, the emotional core, the true HAIDEN FEELING of the Thinkers.
It unites passion, innovation, and a shared vision to transform dental education worldwide, turning cutting-edge technology into real-world impact and empowering future generations of dental professionals with unprecedented tools and collaboration.
Students & Educators are the most critical factors for any success
Students are not mere recipients or testers of curricular changes; they are essential co-creators whose active involvement from the very inception of evidence-based research and reform discussions is critical. Engaging students early in meetings and decision-making ensures that reforms address real needs and foster deeper learning, critical thinking, and ownership of their education.
The Thinkers recognize that oral health educators drive change, but students bring indispensable perspectives, energy, and motivation that shape the success and sustainability of digital-haptic transformations. Together, educators and students, guided by the Thinkers' rigorous, collaborative framework, architect a future where curricular innovation is meaningful, effective, and enduring across global borders.
The Thinkers are the indispensable architects of digital-haptic transformation in oral health education. Recognizing that educators are the decisive drivers or barriers of this change, they strategically lead rigorous global research, foster digital innovation, and unite academia and industry. Their mission is clear: to ensure a defined, achievable path for immersive simulation adoption that upholds educational integrity, accelerates curriculum evolution, and secures sustainable success across borders and disciplines. Without their leadership, any digital transformation risks failure; with it, the future of dental education is fundamentally redefined and safeguarded.
Our Friends, Our Steadfast Supporters
"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." – Isaac Newton