Tri-County Dental Society (TCDS)

Serving Riverside, San Bernardino, and Eastern Los Angeles Counties Since 1908

History and Structure

Established in 1908, the Tri-County Dental Society (TCDS) is a nonprofit professional association representing dentists across Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and eastern Los Angeles County—including cities like Claremont, Pomona, and Diamond Bar. As a component of the California Dental Association (CDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA), TCDS members also receive full state and national association benefits.

Mission and Purpose

Mission: To address the professional needs of its members while promoting oral health through prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of dental diseases.

TCDS members uphold ethical standards outlined by the ADA, CDA, and the society’s own bylaws, ensuring the highest levels of professional conduct.

Membership

Eligibility: Open to licensed dentists from ADA-accredited schools, full-time educators, and those in public or government dental service within the TCDS region.

Membership Types:

Active Member: Practicing locally
Dual Member: Primary membership elsewhere, active in TCDS
Life Member: 30 years consecutive or 35 total years of service, aged 65+
Retired Member: No income from dentistry or academia
Affiliate Member: ADA dentists not otherwise eligible or military dentists
Honorary Member: Awarded for exceptional service, exempt from dues
Recent Graduate: Reduced dues
Student Member: Predoctoral/postdoctoral students, dues exempt

Privileges: Voting, leadership, and committee roles are open to active, dual, life, and retired members. Dues vary by membership type, with options for exemption and reduction.

Member Benefits

Continuing Education (CE): Required and advanced clinical CE programs offered year-round
Networking & Events: Social events and peer connection opportunities
Community Service: Volunteer opportunities at health fairs, K–8 school screenings, and outreach events
Legislative Advocacy: Monitoring and influencing state and local dental regulations
Practice Support: Regular newsletters, updates, and resources
Patient Referrals: TCDS maintains and shares a public list of active members
Leadership Pathways: Members can serve on committees or in elected office after three years of membership

Governance

Board of Directors: Responsible for managing finances, strategy, and society programs. Officers typically serve one-year terms, with the exception of the Secretary-Treasurer (three-year term).

Committees:

Includes standing committees like Finance and Governance, along with ad hoc groups created as needed. Officers and CDA trustees are elected annually; trustees serve three-year terms.

Community Outreach

School-based dental screenings and oral health education (K–8)
Health fairs and community-based prevention events
Public speaking engagements on dental health topics
Free printed materials and public access to dental health resources

Contact Information

Address: 3993 Jurupa Avenue, Suite 104, Riverside, CA 92506

Phone: (951) 787-9700

Fax: (951) 787-9703

Website: www.tcds.org

Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Quick Summary

Tri-County Dental Society At-a-Glance
Founded	1908
Jurisdiction	Riverside, San Bernardino, Eastern LA Counties
Membership Types	Active, Dual, Life, Retired, Affiliate, Honorary, Graduate, Student
Benefits	CE, networking, practice tools, legislative updates, community outreach
Governance	Board of Directors, elected officers, standing committees
Outreach	Health fairs, school screenings, public education, speaker programs
Contact	3993 Jurupa Ave, Ste 104, Riverside, CA 92506; (951) 787-9700; www.tcds.org