Professor, retired colonel recipient of ADA Distinguished Service Award

Jul 29, 2024
Theresa S. Gonzales, D.M.D., continues to demonstrate commitment to underserved

Retired U.S. Army Col. Theresa S. Gonzales, D.M.D., remembers her childhood dentist well.

“Our dental care was provided by the local dentist in my hometown, and I can honestly say that the only two words that he ever spoke to me, or my four siblings, was ‘open’ and ‘spit.’” Read the full article.

Mar 27, 2025

ISDS Trustee at Large Position

The ISDS Board of Trustees now includes an "at-large" position, established in 2022, which can be filled by a qualified member from any component society. Dr. Keith Evans currently holds this position until 2026.

Mar 25, 2025

March Legislative Update

The 2025 legislative session is underway, with over 6,600 bills being introduced. ISDS is closely tracking more than 175 of them for their potential impact on dentistry. While we're still in the early stages, the session runs through the end of May, and we’ll need your engagement to help advance our priorities.

Feb 26, 2025

Down State Society Caucus is now accepting Nominations for ADA Delegates and Alternates for 2026

Nominations are now being accepted for Delegates and Alternates to serve Illinois in the Eighth District Delegation to the 2026 ADA House of Delegates in Indianapolis, Indiana. “We encourage the election of ADA Council members and first time or new dentist delegates for our delegation to better represent the dentists of Illinois.” Election of the Delegates and Alternates will be conducted at the Downstate Dental Society Caucus meeting on Saturday September 13, 2025, during the ISDS Annual Session in Peoria.

Sep 19, 2024

ISDS and IDFPR launch new campaign!

ISDS and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) have launched a joint campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of unlicensed dentists.

Aug 16, 2024

Donate to the $50,000 challenge!

An anonymous donor has generously offered to match all donations with a contribution of their own, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $50,000.

Aug 15, 2024

ISDS Foundation Announces the 2024 Scholarship Winners

The Illinois State Dental Society Foundation is thrilled to announce the winners of this year's scholarship program. After carefully considering and evaluating numerous applications, we are proud to award scholarships to the following outstanding individuals.

Aug 14, 2024

ISDS Foundation Awards $24,000 to Help Illinois Dental Schools

The ISDS Foundation’s Dental Education Endowment Fund: “Our Legacy, Our Future” program earmarked $8,000 from its endowment’s earnings for each dental school in Illinois in 2024. The ISDS Foundation Board requested a “wish list” from each dental school administration and asked them to identify where these requested funds would be most needed for each educational program to succeed and most visible to those donating to the endowment. Below are the monies that will be awarded at this year’s ISDS Annual Session and where the monies were used.

Aug 9, 2024

Announcement of Community Grant Winners for the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation

The ISDSF distributes Community Grants each year in various amounts to applicants residing in the State of Illinois and to such projects that benefit the people of Illinois. Priority was given to proposals that have measurable improvement goals, show strong community support for the project, and are innovative. The grant program attracted the interest of 17 worthwhile organizations actively working to expand access to oral health care services to needy individuals around the state. This year, $50,000 in grant monies were awarded to 12 organizations for projects designed to provide access to dental care and increase oral health awareness and education.