Why Join?
The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) supports the needs of dental professionals in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts dentists turn to the organization for guidance, education, protection, and focused advocacy.
When you join the MDS, you have access to a support system of experienced colleagues, a dedicated staff who are available to answer questions, and a host of benefits to help you navigate your career.
NOTE: If you are already a member dentist and are interested in complimentary memberships for your staff, please direct each staff member to the ADHP (Allied Dental Health Professionals) category to initiate the membership process.
Types of Membership
Choose the applicable category for more information on how to join.
Early-Career Dentist
Membership in the MDS is a three-tiered structure, offering you valuable benefits and comprehensive representation at the national, state, and local levels. An MDS membership for dentists also includes a complimentary membership for their staff.
MDS members are dentists in good standing who actively practice dentistry under a license to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Active members may also be dentists in good standing who are engaged in activities furthering the mission of this Society, including teachers, interns, and residents affiliated with recognized educational or healthcare institutions, or those involved in activities related to governmental dental services.
In response to the financial concerns of early-years dentists, the MDS offers discounted dues rates at the state level.
- Year one complimentary
- Years two and three $120
- Years four and five $240
Dentist
Membership in the MDS is a three-tiered structure, offering you valuable benefits and comprehensive representation at the national, state, and local levels. An MDS membership for dentists also includes a complimentary membership for their staff. There are also special dues rates available for certain types of memberships, which can be reviewed upon completion of the application.
MDS members are dentists in good standing who actively practice dentistry under a license to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Active members may also be dentists in good standing who are engaged in activities furthering the mission of this Society, including teachers, interns, and residents affiliated with recognized educational or healthcare institutions, or those involved in activities related to governmental dental services.
Community Health Dentist
A dentist employed full-time by a Massachusetts community health center may be classified as a community health member upon presenting their employment status to the Society. Once the Society has verified their status, the dues rate for a community health dentist is 50% of the active member dues rate for MDS and district dues only.
Full-Time Faculty
A dentist employed full-time at a Massachusetts-based dental school may be classified as a full-time dental school faculty member upon presenting their employment status to the Society. The MDS then verifies their status. The dues rate for a full-time dental school faculty member is 50% of the active member dues rate for MDS and district dues only. Full-time faculty may also receive a discount at the national level through the American Dental Association (ADA). Check for that discount when joining.
Dental Team Member
Dental Hygienists | Dental Assistants | Dental Technicians | Office Staff
Demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to dentistry by becoming an Allied Dental Health Professional (ADHP) member of the MDS.
Staff members interested in applying for a complimentary membership must submit an individual application.
Click the “Apply Now” button below to begin the membership process. You will be prompted to log in. If you do not already have a login, you will be required to create one to proceed to the next step. Please choose the “ADHP” category for your membership type.
FAQs
Please review our frequently asked questions to find answers to your questions. If you need additional information, please contact the MDS Member Assistance Center at 800.342.8747 or email membership@massdental.org.
- To join the MDS, you must either practice or reside in Massachusetts and have a current Massachusetts dental license. That means if you are a foreign-trained dentist with a Limited Dental License or a Dental Faculty License, you are eligible for membership.
- Dental Students and Residents can be members of the MDS and enjoy the full benefits of membership.
- Allied Dental Health Professionals (ADHP) (dental hygienist, dental assistant, front office staff, technician, or other personnel working in a dental office) are eligible for membership if an MDS member dentist employs them.
Yes, when you join the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), you become part of a tripartite membership structure, which encompasses membership at all three levels of your professional association: national at the ADA, state at the MDS, and local at the District Dental Society level. This tripartite structure provides you with the broadest array of services and representation.
The cost of dues for the tripartite membership, encompassing the ADA, MDS, and your local District Dental Society, ranges from $1216.00—$1291.00, depending on which local District Dental Society you fall into. The MDS and ADA offer several discounts that reduce the dues cost for eligible members. Below are some of the groups that receive discounted or free dues:
- Early career dentists (graduated in the last 5 years)
- Current Postdoctoral Residents
- Full-time faculty staff at area dental schools (Boston University, Tufts University, or Harvard University)
- Dentists who work at a community health center
To see if you are eligible for a discounted rate, email the MDS membership department or apply for membership on our website. When you apply for membership, we apply the best discount available based on the information you provide. This process can take up to a week from the submission of your completed application.
Your tripartite dues cover the membership year, which runs from January 1 to December 31. Membership gives you access to a host of professional resources to help support you throughout your career. We encourage you to explore our website and see all that MDS membership has to offer.
Yes, enrollment in our monthly installment plan is open from November to December each year. The plan splits your tripartite dues into 12 monthly payments with no additional fees. For more information about joining the installment plan, email the MDS membership department.
- If you are moving to Massachusetts from another state, welcome! To transfer your membership from another state society, you should contact your previous state society and let them know you are relocating, and email the MDS membership department to let us know you will be practicing in Massachusetts. If you have paid membership dues to another state association, your membership will be transferred to Massachusetts at no additional cost. If you are on an installment plan in another state, you will continue to make payments through the end of the membership year to your old state society, though your membership will be through MDS.
- If you are moving out of Massachusetts, we wish you the best! Email the MDS membership department and let us know the state in which you will be practicing, along with your new address. We will notify the ADA and your new state association that you have moved and arrange for your membership to be transferred to your new state. If you are participating in our installment plan, you will continue to make payments through the end of the year to MDS, though your membership will be through your new state society.