Why Live Events Still Matter in Dentistry
In an era where digital convenience reigns supreme and online CE options are everywhere, you might assume that live dental events are a thing of the past. Not so fast. According to Dr. Devin Geeson—also known as “The Pep Talk Doc”—live events aren’t dead… unless they suck.
And that’s exactly what Dr. Geeson is out to change.
A former multi-practice owner who built and sold three practices in under five years for an impressive 10x multiple, Dr. Geeson has shifted her focus from clinical excellence to curating transformative experiences for dental professionals. As CEO and owner of Smiles at Sea, the Dental Festival, and the dynamic Dentistry’s Got Talent platform, she’s on a mission to make continuing education engaging, inspiring, and—yes—fun.
Meet the Pep Talk Doc: Dr. Devin Geeson’s Journey
Before she was organizing cruise-ship CE conferences and building speaker pipelines, Dr. Geeson was shaking up morning huddles and cultivating “mojo” in her own practices. Her pep talks—equal parts motivation and mission alignment—became part of her brand and ultimately fueled her success in building thriving dental businesses.
Her secret sauce? Something she calls MOJO:
- Make a difference
- Offer an exceptional experience
- Just go the extra smile
- Outdo the competition
This mindset wasn’t just a gimmick; it was foundational. Dr. Geeson used mojo to ignite team performance and patient loyalty—and when her teams exceeded every goal she set, she looked for creative ways to reward them. That’s when her love for cruises took a professional turn.
Smiles at Sea: Where State Rooms Replace Boardrooms
Dr. Geeson started taking her high-performing teams on cruises to celebrate and recharge. Eventually, she learned about Smiles at Sea, a dental CE cruise program founded by hygienist and entrepreneur Elijah Desmond. Their connection grew, and after years of collaboration, Desmond asked Dr. Geeson to take the helm.
Now leading both Smiles at Sea and its land-based sibling, The Dental Festival, Dr. Geeson has fully embraced her role as experience curator, motivator, and community builder.
Her events offer more than CE credit—they offer rejuvenation, connection, and inspiration. Attendees swap windowless hotel ballrooms for ocean views, engage in high-energy networking sessions, and leave with more than just new skills—they leave with a new support system.
As Dr. Geeson puts it: “You might come as strangers, but you leave as friends.”
Dentistry’s Got Talent: Creating a New Speaker Pipeline
One of Dr. Geeson’s proudest accomplishments is her work with Dentistry’s Got Talent, a platform that offers up-and-coming dental professionals the chance to share their ideas in a TED-style, 10-minute talk format. These events are more than competitions—they’re opportunities.
Meeting planners and event scouts are invited to judge and recruit fresh talent, creating real speaking opportunities for new voices. Last year, more than 25 meeting planners attended the event, and several speakers were booked for national conferences as a result.
Building on this success, Dr. Geeson launched the Emerging Speaker Program, which helps aspiring speakers develop everything from their one-sheet and pitch materials to authorship opportunities. It’s not just a stage—it’s a launchpad.
Making CE Fun Again: Upcoming Events and What to Expect
Dr. Geeson’s calendar is packed with events that blend clinical depth with experiential learning. Here’s what’s coming up:
🛳️ Smiles at Sea – February Cruise (10-Year Anniversary)
- Aboard one of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships
- Over 250 attendees and counting
- Clinical CE from leaders like Tom Viola, the NASH Institute, and top hygienists
- A land-based practice management day before the cruise
- Unparalleled networking and social experiences
🏖️ The Dental Festival – August 21–23 in Delray Beach, FL
- Top-tier speakers including Dr. Grizzel Martos (injection molding), Kyle Summerford (treatment acceptance), and Dr. Geeson herself
- A beach-town vibe, complete with golf carts and cultural charm
- A special focus on perio education through “Periopalooza”
- Opportunities to build community and sharpen both clinical and communication skills
A Vision Fueled by Legacy
Dr. Geeson’s work is fueled not just by a love of live events, but by a deeply personal commitment to legacy. Having lost both her parents early in life and been supported by a generous dental mentor in her youth, she now sees her work as a way to give back to the next generation.
She wants to be the person who helps others carry their burdens, find their purpose, and experience success—not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually. “Dentistry carried me when I couldn’t carry myself,” she says. “Now I want to carry others.”
TLDR: Episode Recap
This episode of The Dental Domination Podcast dives into how Dr. Devin Geeson is breathing new life into dental continuing education through cruise-based events, land-based festivals, and a speaker development pipeline. It’s about more than CE credits—it’s about inspiration, connection, and transformation.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- MOJO is the mindset that drove Dr. Geeson’s success: Make a difference, Offer exceptional experiences, Just go the extra smile, Outdo the competition.
- Smiles at Sea transforms CE into something memorable, replacing boardrooms with state rooms and building community along the way.
- Dentistry’s Got Talent offers new speakers the chance to shine and get booked—live on stage in front of meeting planners.
- The Dental Festival (August) and the 10-Year Anniversary Smiles at Sea Cruise (February) are can’t-miss events for anyone looking to learn and connect.
- Dr. Geeson’s mission is about legacy: lifting up others and helping healthcare professionals thrive.
Ready to Grow Beyond the Operatory?
Want to scale your practice and your impact? Schedule a free strategy call with DentalScapes. Whether you’re looking to grow new patient volume, enhance your brand, or reimagine your online marketing, we’ve got you covered with innovative solutions built for real practice growth. Let’s build your legacy—together.