Start your CDS membership.
Join more than 4,000 Chicago-area dentists in the nation's largest local branch of organized dentistry.
A simple path to membership.
- ✓Quick 2-minute form through ISDS
- ✓ISDS team follows up directly
- ✓CDS membership is included
- ✓No payment required to start
Membership built for the way you practice.
From day one, your CDS membership opens doors to education, community, and a profession-wide voice working on your behalf.
Continuing Education
Stay sharp with year-round CE programming, hands-on workshops, and the world-renowned Midwinter Meeting — one of the largest dental conferences anywhere.
- 250+ courses each year
- Discounted member rates
- Live, on-demand, and in-person formats
Community & Networking
Connect with peers through nine local branches, special interest groups, and events that bring Chicago-area dentists together — from new grads to lifelong members.
- Branch meetings near your practice
- Mentorship and peer programs
- New dentist initiatives
Advocacy & Voice
Your membership amplifies dentistry's voice in Springfield and Washington. We work alongside ISDS and the ADA to shape policy on licensure, insurance, and patient care.
- Tripartite ADA / ISDS / CDS structure
- Active legislative engagement
- Regulatory updates and alerts
Practice Resources & Discounts
Member-exclusive savings on insurance, supplies, payroll services, and practice management tools — plus access to the CDS Review and member-only publications.
- Endorsed vendor partnerships
- CDS Review magazine subscription
- Career and classifieds access
Wherever your career takes you, there's room for you at CDS.
Find the membership tier that fits your stage and location. Local dues for 2026 are listed below.
|
CDS Tripartite*
Cook / Lake / DuPage Counties
|
CDS Associate**
Everywhere else on the planet+
|
IL Dental Student
MWU / UIC / SIU
|
Dental Student
US + International
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Dues |
$150 Full
$75 — 2nd Year Out
$35 — Retired
|
$125
|
Free
Throughout school & 18 mo. after grad
|
Free
Throughout school & 18 mo. after grad
|
| Attend Branch Meetings | ||||
| Voting Member | ||||
| Serve on Committees | ||||
| Access to CDS Community Platform | ||||
| Digital CDS Review | ||||
| Access to CDS University | ||||
| Midwinter Meeting Free Registration | ||||
| MWM Room Chair | By invitation | |||
| MWM Presiding Chair | ||||
| Regional Meetings Free Registration | ||||
| Member Advantage Partners |
← Swipe to view all tiers →
* Payable to ISDS as part of your tripartite dues (ADA, ISDS, CDS)
** US must be ADA member
+ Payable to CDS
Three steps to membership.
CDS membership is administered through the Illinois State Dental Society. Here's exactly what happens next.
Submit the form
Click the button below to open the short ISDS membership form. It takes about two minutes to complete — no payment required.
ISDS reaches out
A member of the ISDS team will contact you to confirm your details, answer questions, and walk through next steps.
You're a member
Your CDS membership activates with your ISDS enrollment. You'll receive a welcome from CDS with everything you need.
Joining CDS connected me with mentors and colleagues I'd never have met otherwise. It's the single best professional decision I made early in my career.
Good to know.
Why do I sign up through ISDS instead of CDS directly?
Organized dentistry uses a tripartite structure — when you join the Illinois State Dental Society, your CDS and American Dental Association memberships are included. One form, three memberships. It's how dentistry has organized itself for over a century.
Which membership tier is right for me?
If you practice in Cook, Lake, or DuPage County, you're a CDS Tripartite member. Practicing elsewhere but want to stay connected to CDS? You're a CDS Associate. Dental students at MWU, UIC, or SIU receive free membership throughout school and 18 months after graduation. Dental students elsewhere in the US or internationally also receive free membership with slightly different benefits — see the table above for details.
Who is eligible to join CDS?
Licensed dentists practicing in Cook, Lake, or DuPage counties are eligible for full tripartite membership. Dentists outside these counties may join as CDS Associates (US dentists must be ADA members). Dental students at any accredited program are welcome. If you're unsure about eligibility, start the form and the ISDS team will confirm during follow-up.
What if I'm a recent graduate?
Recent graduates receive free CDS membership for 18 months after graduation, and a reduced $75 rate during your second year of practice. CDS runs dedicated programming for early-career dentists, including mentorship, study clubs, and networking events specific to your stage.
How long until my membership is active?
Once ISDS finalizes your enrollment — typically within a few business days of your form submission — your CDS membership activates automatically. You'll receive a welcome message with your member number and access details.
Can I talk to someone before I sign up?
Absolutely. If you'd rather have a conversation first, reply to our email and we'll set up a quick call. There's no pressure to commit before you have your questions answered.
Ready when you are.
The form takes about two minutes. ISDS will follow up directly to finalize everything.
Start membership process