Mission and History
Mission Statement
The Chicago Dental Society was organized in 1864 and incorporated in 1878. The mission statement of CDS, updated in 2022, is to create and deliver high-quality, innovative programs that promote the art and science of dentistry and are responsive to the interests and needs of our members, the dental profession and the public we serve. Our core values are:
- Education
- Collegiality
- Diversity
- Leadership
When joining the Chicago Dental Society, a dentist also becomes a member of the American Dental Association and the Illinois State Dental Society. However, instead of paying three separate dues invoices, members pay once annually to belong to all component (local), constituent (state) and national levels. Find out more about our member benefits.
Organization & Structure
Our Board of Directors consists of five officers and nine branch directors that govern the Chicago Dental Society. The directors are elected by the individual branches and serve for a term of three years.
There are five CDS officers: president, president-elect, secretary, vice president and treasurer. Officers serve a 12-month term, starting in January and ending in December.
The Coalition
Leadership is shared among three unique groups: the Members Group, the Independent Dental Organization and the Progressive Club.
The groups form the Coalition. Leadership within CDS rotates among the three groups.
Each year, one of the groups nominates one of its members for the office of treasurer. The nominee's name is then proposed to the remaining two groups for their acceptance or rejection. This system ensures that all three groups are represented within the Society’s officer core. For example, if the president and vice president belong to the Members Group, the president-elect and the treasurer will be members of the Independent Dental Organization, and the secretary a member of the Progressive Club.
A CDS member is not required to be a member of any political organization to hold branch office. Although a CDS officer must be nominated by one of the three groups, the person nominated may not necessarily be a member of that group.