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.

Your first 18 months of tripartite membership through CDS, ISDS, and the ADA are still completely FREE, with 50% off the year after that. One short form through the Illinois State Dental Society is all it takes to get started… 

Keep your membership going

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

ADA Article: Student Loan Changes Ahead?

ADA Student Loan Resource Guide

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

South Suburban + Southwest Branches | Facts and Techniques; Common Periodontal Surgical Procedures for Referrals by General Dentists

South Suburban + Southwest Branches | Facts and Techniques; Common Periodontal Surgical Procedures for Referrals by General Dentists

October 13, 20266:00 pm-9:00 pm Cooper’s Hawk | Orland Park 15690 S Harlem Ave Orland Park, IL 60462 South Suburban Branch, SouthWest BranchView Events Website

Join the South Suburban Branch at Cooper’s Hawk in Orland Park on October 13, 2026 from 6pm-9pm for the NEW…

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November 2026 Regional Meeting

November 2026 Regional Meeting

November 6, 20269:00 am-12:00 pm Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites 8500 W Bryn Mawr Ave Chicago, 60631 CDS Event, Kenwood/Hyde Park Branch, North Side Branch, North Suburban Branch, Northwest Side Branch, Northwest Suburban Branch, Regional Meeting, South Suburban Branch, SouthWest Branch, West Side Branch, West Suburban BranchView Events Website

Credit Hours: 3 Hours Course Title: Head and Neck Cancer: From Diagnosis to Survival Speakers: Dr. Nicholas Callahan, MPH, DMD, MD…

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