Early Career Resources

CDS brings you curated resources to help as you encounter questions and decisions early in your career.

We can help you achieve your career goals with continuing education at the branch and the Midwinter Meeting, networking and member benefits.

Discover Your Local Branch

Connect with Your Community

Chicago Dental Society membership spans the Chicago metropolitan area, divided into nine geographic branches across Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties.

When you join, your branch is assigned based on your home or office ZIP Code, but you can select a branch that aligns with your preferences—whether it’s near your home, workplace, or where friends and colleagues are located.

Find Your Branch

Additional Resources

Explore our curated resources to help new dental professionals navigate career decisions, job searches, financial planning, and the transition into practice ownership or employment.

What’s Next?

What’s right for me? How to land that job? What are my next steps? Here is a curated collection of topics for new professionals.

Practice owner/associate
Research the ADA website for personal stories on making it in private practice.

DSO or Independent Contractor
What does it mean to be an employee? Here’s the lowdown.

Where to look for jobs
Check the CDS Review classified ad section
or the ADA Career Center.

Tips to Help Launch Your Career

Applying for your dental license

Resume tips

30 Questions to Ask in an Interview

Understanding contracts

Negotiating Salary

Compensation calculations

Overview: Incorporating yourself

License portabliity update

Student Loans

Updated student loan info

Financial options/planning

Refinancing

Tax Tips

Dentist tax deduction checklist

Deductions dentists may overlook

31 tax write-off for self-employed dentists

Do I need a dental accountant?

Build a team to help you practice

Bookkeeping for a dental start-up (video)

Upcoming Events

Wild About Our Members: CDS Family Day at the Zoo!

Wild About Our Members: CDS Family Day at the Zoo!

August 2, 202612:00 pm-3:00 pm Brookfield Zoo 8400 31st St Brookfield, IL 60513 United States CDS Event, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Early Career Events, Kenwood/Hyde Park Branch, Membership Committee, North Side Branch, North Suburban Branch, Northwest Side Branch, Northwest Suburban Branch, South Suburban Branch, SouthWest Branch, Special Events, Student Events, West Side Branch, West Suburban BranchView Events Website

Join the Chicago Dental Society for a wild day of family fun at the zoo! Your ticket gets you free…

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Early Career Dentists Night Out

Early Career Dentists Night Out

August 20, 20266:30 pm-9:30 pm Loews Chicago Hotel 455 N Park Dr Chicago, IL 60611 United States CDS Event, Early Career Events, Kenwood/Hyde Park Branch, New Dentist Committee, North Side Branch, North Suburban Branch, Northwest Side Branch, Northwest Suburban Branch, South Suburban Branch, SouthWest Branch, West Side Branch, West Suburban BranchView Events Website

Join your colleagues at Chicago Dental Society’s Annual Early Career Dentists Night Out! Held at the Loews Event Terrace at…

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