My Membership

Pay Your Membership Dues in Installments Conveniently and With No Fees

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), the American Dental Association (ADA), and your District Dental Society offer a Monthly Installment Payment Program plan for convenient membership renewal. This means that your dues payments can be spread equally over the year with payments through a checking account or credit card. This plan will automatically recur annually.

The MDS is offering this program with no additional fees or charges. To participate, please complete and send in the Monthly Installment Payment Authorization and Agreement by December 31. Debits to your checking account and/or credit card will be made on or around the same day each month starting in January. In addition, when using a corporate account or credit card, contributions to the MDS Foundation, MDS-PAC, and other ADPAC voluntary donations must be made by a PERSONAL CHECK or a PERSONAL CREDIT CARD ONLY.

Secure Form Submission via DocuSign:

To ensure your information is secure, we can email you the form via DocuSign for secure completion and submission. We do not accept forms sent via unsecure email. Contact the Member Assistance Center at 800.342.8747, option 6, for more information.

Addendum Notice:

Effective October 4, 2024, the following updates apply to your Monthly Installment Payment Authorization Agreement:

• Payment Schedule: Membership dues renew annually on December 31. Monthly payments for the new year start automatically in January. Update your payment information regularly to prevent interruptions.
• Payment Information Updates: If your card or ACH account details change, please update them within 10 days to avoid service disruptions.
• Missed Payments: After three consecutive missed payments, you may lose eligibility for the plan in the following membership year.
• Re-enrollment Policy: To rejoin the plan after removal, you must pay the full dues for a two-year period.
• Cancellation: You may cancel between January 1 and March 31. Cancellations made after this date will require full payment of the year’s dues.
• The MDS Membership Assistance Center (MAC) will notify you via email and phone if there are unprocessed payments. We encourage you to respond promptly to these notifications. If a payment is missed, your eligibility for the Monthly Installment Plan may be affected, and re-enrollment will necessitate a history of timely payments.

Enrollment Requirements:

• Print the Monthly Installment Payment Authorization and Agreement, and provide a form of payment.
• Enroll by December 31.
• The Monthly Installment Payment Authorization and Agreement cannot be terminated within the membership year. Once started, participants are obligated to complete the program or pay the full year’s dues.
• No refunds will be offered.

To enroll by mail, follow these steps: 

1. Print and complete the Monthly Installment Payment Authorization and Agreement
2. Mail to: 
   Massachusetts Dental Society
   Attention: Membership Department
   Two Willow Street, Suite 200, Southborough, MA 01745

Please note: You can also update your credit card information by phone by calling the MDS Membership Assistance Center at 800.342.8747, option 6.

Please do NOT email the completed form. PCI DSS requirement 4.2 states that credit card information must not be captured, transmitted, or stored via email.

If you have questions, please call the MDS Member Assistance Center at 800.342.8747, option 6.

Membership Renewal FAQs

When does my membership expire?
Membership expires on December 31 of each year. Benefits such as insurance require current membership, and a lapse in membership negatively affects your eligibility for Life Membership. 

How can I pay my dues?

• Renew online—Log in to your account at massdental.org and select “Renew Your Membership” at the top of your profile page. 
• Renew by mail—Send a check payable to the Massachusetts Dental Society to 2 Willow St., Suite 200, Southborough, MA 01745-1027. 
• Renew by phone—Call the MDS Member Assistance Center (MAC) at 800.342.8747, option 6.  

Can I pay monthly? 
Yes, please the Monthly Installment Payment Authorization Agreement form to enroll in the 12-month installment plan (no added fees). Learn more about the automatic annual renewal method below. 

I have retired, or I will retire soon. What should I do? 
Members who retire from the practice of dentistry and do not earn income from performing any dental-related activity become eligible for retired membership the year following retirement. An affidavit of retirement must be submitted. Please let the MDS know of your retirement date and verify if your address is correct by calling the MDS Member Assistance Center at 800.342.8747, option 5.  

I will be moving out of the state. Should I notify you? 
Yes, we will need to transfer your membership to your new state dental association.  Call us at 800.342.8747, option 6, and the MDS can help you with the transfer.  

If I am a full-time faculty staff member at an area dental school, do I get a dues discount? 
Yes, you receive a 50% discount on the MDS, American Dental Association (ADA) dues, and local district dental society dues. Please contact the MDS at 800.342.8747, option 6, if you think you are eligible for this discount.  

If I work at a community health center, do I get a dues discount? 
Yes, you receive a 50% discount on the MDS and local district dental society dues. However, you would still need to pay full dues for the ADA. Please contact us at 800.342.8747, option 6, if you think you are eligible for this discount. 

Can I only pay for membership for MDS and ADA, but not the local Dental District? 
No, when you join the MDS, you are part of a tripartite membership structure, which includes membership at all three levels of your professional association, national at the ADA, state at the MDS, and local at your district dental society level. This tripartite structure provides you with the broadest array of services and representation. To learn more, visit massdental.org/about-the-MDS/membership. 

Are there dues discounts for early-career dentists?  
Yes, early career dentists receive discounts on their MDS, ADA, and district dental society dues. Refer to your dues invoice for related discounts or call the MDS at 800.342.8747, option 6, for more information.

The following is a notice regarding the use of your MDS, ADA, and district membership dues and voluntary contributions as business expense deductions.

Dues payments and contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes to the extent that payments are not made to 501(c)(3) organizations.

2024 Tax Deductibility

Attention United States taxpayers: According to tax law, IRC Section 162(e), only the portion of an association member’s dues that are not attributed to lobbying activities is eligible for deduction as an ordinary and necessary business expense. For the year 2024, 7.2% of ADA dues and 15.8% of MDS dues are allocated to lobbying activities, rendering them nondeductible as business expenses. All district dues are exempt from any association with lobbying activities and are therefore eligible for deduction. For inquiries or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact the MDS at 800.342.8747.

2025 Tax Deductibility

Attention United States taxpayers: According to tax law, IRC Section 162(e), only the portion of an association member’s dues that are not attributed to lobbying activities is eligible for deduction as an ordinary and necessary business expense. For the year 2025, 7.2% of ADA dues and 18.4% of MDS dues are allocated to lobbying activities, rendering them nondeductible as business expenses. All district dues are free from any association with lobbying activities and are thus eligible for deduction. For inquiries or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact the MDS at 800.342.8747.

Charitable Contributions

Contributions to MDS-PAC are voluntary, and any person has the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. The contribution guidelines are merely suggestions, and a person may contribute more, less, or not at all without concern for favor or disadvantage by the MDS. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for state or federal tax purposes. Corporate contributions are forbidden by law. Individuals can only contribute a maximum of $500 per calendar year. State law requires the MDS-PAC to request the name, home address, occupation, and employer for each person whose contributions equal or exceed $200 in a calendar year. ADPAC is a federally registered political committee, and the contributions it receives are used to support federal candidates and committees. Contributions to ADPAC are voluntary, and any person has the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. The contribution guidelines are merely suggestions, and a person may contribute more, less, or not at all without concern of favor or disadvantage by the ADA. Corporate donations will not be used by ADPAC for contributions but will be used exclusively to cover the administrative and operating expenses of ADPAC or related political activities. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires ADPAC to request the name, address, occupation, and employer for each person whose contributions exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) in a calendar year.

The MDS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations to MDS Foundation are voluntary and fully tax-deductible.  Donations for applicable award categories can be a single contribution or cumulative over multiple years:

Major Benefactors ($100,000+)
Benefactors ($75,000 – $99,999)
President’s Society ($50,000 – $74,999)
Founder’s Society ($25,000 – $49,999)
DerKazarian Society ($15,000- $24,999)
Morton Society ($10,000 – $14,999)
Salmon Society ($5,000 – $9,999)
Friends  ($2,500 – $4,999)
Senate Club ($1,000 – $2,499)
Platinum ($500-$999)
Gold ($250-$499)
Silver ($100-$249)

If you have any questions regarding the deductibility of your dues or need additional assistance, please email the MDS Membership Department or call 800.342.8747

Membership Matters!

Show pride in your tripartite membership. Request a complimentary membership decal to display in your office so your patients will know you are a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), and your local District Dental Society. Order your complimentary decal at membership@massdental.org.

Proudly display the MDS logo and membership web buttons on your practice communications and website to demonstrate your commitment to the profession and build confidence in the eyes of your patients. Logo and web button files are available to all MDS members in good standing.

Where to Use the MDS Logo?

Print Communications

• Business cards
• Practice e-newsletter
• Practice brochure
• Practice stationery 
• Postcards
• Practice newsletter 
• Print ads 

Electronic Communications

• Practice e-newsletter
• Practice website 
• PowerPoint presentation

Usage & Downloads
An electronic file of the MDS logo is available to use on your website, stationery, business cards, envelopes, brochures, and any other materials. There are two versions of the MDS logo available for use by members: one in black and one in color. The color version should always be printed in PMS 2685 (purple) and Cool Grey 10C or the CMYK equivalent.

There are two web buttons available to members: the MDS Member Web Button and the Oral Health/Overall Health Web Button. These web buttons can be used by following the instructions below.

If the Society’s name is used by a member in a document or website text, it should appear as the Massachusetts Dental Society at the first and most prominent use in all materials, and may, thereafter, be referred to as the MDS.

MDS Logos

MDS Membership Web Button

Show your patients that you are a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society. This web button is linked to www.massdental.org.

Right-click on the image above and click “Copy image address.” Paste the address into a new browser window to access the image.

Compliance and Questions

Any MDS member found to be improperly using the MDS membership logo must correct any discrepancies within a specific and reasonable time period as specified via written notice from the MDS. Refusal to correct such discrepancies will result in the revocation of the right to use the logo. Use of the MDS membership logo by non-members or members not in good standing is strictly prohibited and may subject the unauthorized user to civil liability. 

Membership is tripartite, with the national (American Dental Association), the state (Massachusetts Dental Society), and a local district dental society. These entities combined to offer a comprehensive range of services and representation. Discover the various types of membership available.

Full-time Dental School Faculty Member—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, which verifies their status. The dues for a full-time dental school faculty member are 50% of the active member dues for the MDS and District Dental Society dues only.

Active—Active members are limited to dentists who are in active practice, in good standing, and licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Active members may also be dentists in good standing who are engaged in activities furthering the objectives 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.

Allied Dental Health Professional (ADHP)—The Allied Dental Health Professional membership is available to dental hygienists, dental assistants, front office staff, technicians, or other personnel working in a dental office for an MDS member dentist. ADHP members have access to reduced registration fees for MDS courses (excluding the Yankee Dental Congress) and discounts available through the MDS Member Savings Program. ADHP members also receive the MDS weekly eNews to stay up-to-date on MDS programs, events, and profession-related news.

Associate—A person not eligible for any other type of membership in this Society who contributes to the advancement of the objectives of this Society and has not met the educational requirements for licensure as a dentist anywhere in the United States may apply for associate membership.

Dental Students—Dental students can be members of the MDS and enjoy the full benefits of membership. A predoctoral student or a dentist who is engaged full-time in an advanced training course or a residency program at a dental school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Dental Association is classified as a student member.

Honorary—An individual who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry, upon nomination by the Board of Trustees and election by the House of Delegates, shall be classified as an honorary member of this Society. There are no dues associated with honorary membership.

Life—Members in good standing for thirty (30) consecutive years or a total of forty (40) years in another constituent Society of the American Dental Association shall be classified as a life member. Life members who are retired are classified as retired life members. They pay no annual dues and are considered full members in good standing, with access to all benefits from the ADA, MDS, or district society. In addition, Retired Life members receive free registration to the annual Yankee Dental Congress.

Nonresident—A dentist who is a tripartite member of the American Dental Association and is primarily practicing in a state other than Massachusetts is eligible to be a nonresident member of the MDS.

Retired and Retired Life—A dentist in good standing and no longer earning income from the performance of service as a member of the faculty of a dental school, as a dental administrator or consultant, or as a practitioner of dentistry can qualify for retired membership. Retired members (who are not classified as retired life members) receive a 75% reduction in the annual dues for the ADA and MDS, and their local District Dental Society dues are waived entirely. Download Application

Waiver of Dues—Membership is based on the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. Dues are due by January 1, but the MDS extends its members a grace period until March 31 of each year to pay. If you are experiencing a financial hardship or are unable to afford membership due to a disability, you may apply for a waiver of dues. Learn More

Community Health Member—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 for a community health dentist are 50% of the active member dues for the MDS and District Dental Society dues only.