Did that title catch your attention? That was the idea. I have heard that argument before. Have we grown into a dental society that focuses solely on producing the Midwinter Meeting? Well, there is nothing wrong with that. The Midwinter Meeting has expanded, and the Chicago Dental Society has put the work in to reap the rewards that a world-class event provides. However, to be certain, we are much more than that!
The Chicago Dental Society is involved with programs that help pre-dental and dental students understand the journey they are embarking on. Dental students are automatic CDS Members and have their own celebration on Friday afternoon at the Midwinter Meeting, as well as invitations to Branch Meetings throughout the year. Also, the D4s are invited to the Early Career Dentist Night Out rooftop event held every August. CDS also works with our local dental schools by supporting multiple dental clubs, outings, and activities throughout the year. After graduating in May, they will also be CDS Members, for free, for another 18 months. We make being a member easy!
The Early Career Dentists (out of dental school for 10 years or less) have worked with CDS to provide a remarkable rooftop event each August. In 2026, the Early Career Dentists had their own 'Relax and Recharge’ Lounge at the Midwinter Meeting, which proved very popular (watch out for 2027; it will be even more of a destination!) The CDS Board has been so impressed with the ideas and abilities of our new graduates, that we have provided a full board seat on our Board for the last four years. This has produced so many improvements, big and small, to our beloved organization. We only wished we started this trend earlier!
However, to be certain, we are much more than that!
For those of you in the middle of your career, there are a few things I’d like you to remember. First, the Branch that you belong to is your home. Each home is only as good as the members that show up for each meeting. CDS provides leadership training, monetary support, and staff time to make each Branch shine. All you have to do is show up!
Also, the beauty of the Midwinter Meeting is that it looks effortless and robust, but it truly takes years to pull off each one. With only a Mighty Staff of 15 and an army of volunteers, what we produce is just shy of a miracle! Therefore, your membership is critical to our success, and your annual help is always appreciated. Be a member, stay a member, and invite your friends to be members!
However, the Board and the members of the CDS do much more each year, on your behalf. Along with ISDS, many CDS members have stepped up to make the past Illinois Mission of Mercy weekends a huge success. Also, we currently participate in the ADA Lobby Days in Washington D.C., Lobby Days in Springfield, and provide local representation for the ISDS Annual Session, and the ADA House of Delegates. The CDS has consistently provided many of the ADA Councils with members that usually rise to become the Chair of their respective groups.
Be a member, stay a member, and invite your friends to be members!
For those staring at the end of their career, words simply do not provide the sense of gratitude that we have for all of you that have stayed with us from the early Midwinter Meetings at the Palmer House, the Conrad Hilton Hotel, then to the Hyatt Ballrooms, on to the McCormick Place Lakeside, and finally to our current home, the McCormick Place West Building. Over the years, improvements have emerged because we’ve had many great CDS Boards, very progressive ideas, creative mindsets, and quite literally, blood, sweat, and tears. Please be a mentor and give an early career dentist the time that you wished you were given in your youth. Oh! And one last thing. Did you know that the CDS Foundation has the Juliann Bluitt Legacy Society to place the CDS in your long-term planning or estate gifts? Visit the CDS Foundation website today at www.cds.org/cds-foundation.
At CDS we do a plethora of great “things,” and we are blessed to have the ability to provide the finest dental meeting in the country. However, we are much more than that. We are simply the best. Best in class. Best dental society. Best Dental Meeting. Period.
We are much more than that. We are simply the best.