The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), a 5,000-member constituent of the American Dental Association, is dedicated to the professional development of its member dentists through initiatives in education, advocacy, and promotion of the highest professional standards, and championing oral health in the Commonwealth. Purpose: Empowering dental health professionals throughout their careers Niche:The leading resource for member success
For the 2021-2022 governance year, the Board of Trustees is composed of the MDS Officers, 6 Regional Trustees, and an At-Large Trustee. The duties and responsibilities of the MDS Board of Trustees can be found in the MDS Constitution and Bylaws.
Look around your community - 80% of dentists in Massachusetts turn to the Massachusetts Dental Society for guidance, education, and focused advocacy.The MDS provides you with quality continuing education and business services to help you succeed. In addition, membership in the MDS is a three-tiered structure, offering you great benefits and comprehensive representation at the national, state and local levels.
The MDS is composed of 14 District Dental Societies that cover the geography of the state. Membership is based on practice location. Each District has its own Executive Board and offers continuing education and local social programs to help advance the careers and foster camaraderie of its members.
The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) has many opportunities for you to advertise to our 5,000 member dentists. We offer a robust career center, classified advertising program, and display advertising in theJournal of the Massachusetts Dental Society, as well as other opportunities.
The MDS is a professional association dedicated to improving the oral health of the public and the professional development of its membership through initiatives in education, advocacy, and promotion of the highest professional standards. To accomplish these goals, the MDS engages in political advocacy, access to care, variouscommunicationsincluding publications, website, and social networkingand produces an annual dental conference in Boston. The MDS delivers continuing education onsite and throughout the Commonwealth. It also includes a Foundation focused on improving access to care for the underserved in Massachusetts.
The new MDS site has three dedicated sections: MDS members, the public, and the MDS Foundation.This page contains information on how you can navigate around theMDS member site, and other helpful tips about what to find on our site and in your email inbox.
'We, the members of the Massachusetts Dental Society, declare ourselves a Society to cultivate the science and art of dentistry, and all its collateral branches; to elevate and sustain the professional character of dentists, to promote dental health through all mediums available, and to protect the public interest in dental matters; and have adopted for our government the following Constitution and Bylaws.' - MDS Constitution & Bylaws
Candidates interested in running for one of the above positions should, by September 30, send to each District Secretary his or her resume, along with a letter of nomination from his or her District Executive Committee (typically written by the District Secretary) endorsing the individual's candidacy. Candidates running for the position of Vice President will also need a position paper explaining why you feel you are a good candidate for the position and outlining your vision for the future of the MDS.
On behalf of the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) Board of Trustees, I want to take a moment to reflect on our countrys grief over the horrific events that occurred last week in Atlanta. The loss of these eight lives is intolerable. At a time when we have all experienced so much loss over the past year and began to hope that change was indeed coming, this unspeakable tragedy serves as a reminder that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have faced an increased risk of violent attacks every time they have left their homes since March 2020.
As your President, I recognize that I write this from a place of privilege and that I have not walked in others' shoes. My heart breaks knowing that my colleagues, friends, and students experience hate and discrimination directed toward them simply because of the color of their skin and their treasured ancestries. At the MDS, we need diversity not only in our membership, but also in our values, our perspectives, and our experiences. We need to learn together and from one another. I encourage everyone to spend some time reflecting on how we can collectively do better to make everyone feel welcome, respected, and heard. The MDS does not tolerate discrimination, of any kind, period.
As American Dental Association President Dr. Daniel J. Klemmedson recently wrote in an email to members, I remind everyone that we are trusted health care professionals who should first strive to be compassionate citizens and good neighbors. That we should treat all people with decency and respect. That we should denounce every act of violence and incivility that sows division in our nation. Here in Massachusetts, we must do the same.
To our AAPI members and colleaguesplease know that our hearts are with you. You will always have the support of the MDS. If you are experiencing discrimination or have suggestions on how to move these conversations forward, please reach out to me or a member of the MDS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.
As a profession and an organization, we sometimes shy away from societal conversations happening around us. As dentists, we are often viewed as community leaders due to our frequent interaction with local residents. The recent death of George Floyd and the ensuing peaceful protests across the country and here in Massachusetts have shown that silence on the topic of racial justice only allows the status quo to continue. Leadership is needed on this issue from all walks of life, including dentistry, if we as a society are going to achieve the change that we need.
The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) stands with members of our communities, including our dentists and patients, who face injustice and racism in their day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, racism continues to be pervasive throughout all levels of society. Social media posts and thoughts and prayers alone will not solve these problems. We must stand up and act.
To this date, the MDS admits that it has not done enough within our own organization and profession to ensure diversity and inclusivity. This failure does not go unrecognized, and that is why today, we are announcing a task force to develop a robust policy in this area and to assist with ongoing conversations with members regarding equity and racial justice. The task force will be charged with:
This is the moment to unravel from whatever personal biases we may harbor. To become allies. To have the hard conversations. To listen to voices that have long gone unheard. To speak up for those who have been disenfranchised. To commit to empathy and understanding. To be forces for change. To be agents of harmony. To call out wrong when we see it. And to do whats right when we can.
The MDS Board of Trustees is composed of the MDS Officers, six Regional Trustees, and one At-Large Trustee. There are also four nonvoting Guest Board Members who participate in all activities of the Board. The duties and responsibilities of the MDS Board of Trustees can be found in the MDS Constitution and Bylaws.
As of July 1, 2021, the Board of Trustees consists of six Regional Trustees, one At-Large Trustee, President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Speaker of the House, and Executive Director.It is important to note that this change does not in any way modify the current composition of Districts.
Applications for leadership positions are now being accepted for the governance year beginning July 1, 2022. If you are interested in applying for any of the positions, please contact your District Secretary, download and complete the application, and submit all the required information to your District Secretary by your Districts deadline for candidate submission to allow the District sufficient time to select its one candidate for each position.
All Districts must submit the completed Candidate Information packet for its candidate for each position to the MDS Secretary by September 30, 2021. To identify your District Secretary, visit your respective District page.
1. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from his/her District. 2. Must be member in good standing. 3. An individual who has been selected to be an At-large Trustee must pay MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31 or the Trustee Selection and Nominations Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable. 4. Candidates must have served in prior leadership roles and/or received leadership training. 5. Cannot serve more than two one-year terms as At-Large Trustee. 6. Must represent the interests of the Society and be a fiduciary guardian of Society. 7. The At-Large Trustee cannot serve on any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as At-Large Trustee. 8. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing he/she has not served more than 3 years on the BOT.
1. Must submit a candidate application and a letter of support from his/her District. 2. Must be member in good standing. 3. An individual who has been selected to be a Regional Trustee must pay the following years MDS membership dues and special assessments if applicable by December 31 or the Trustee Selection and Nominations. Committee shall rescind such selection and shall immediately reconvene to select or nominate a substitute individual, as applicable. 4. Shall have served on the District Executive Committee, MDS Committee, or similar leadership roles in other organizations. 5. No Regional Trustee may serve more than two two-year terms and a cumulative total of five years as a Regional Trustee. 6. Must represent the interests of the Society and be a fiduciary guardian of Society. 7. Regional Trustees cannot serve on any other position on the MDS Board of Trustees or District board while serving as Regional Trustee. 8. Prior Trustees are eligible to apply providing he/she has not served more than 3 years on the BOT. 9. The Board shall develop other criteria annually as it sees fit that may be position specific based on the positions available.