Harbor Dental Society

What Harbor Dental Society does

Harbor Dental Society is a nonprofit professional membership association founded on October 6, 1915, in Long Beach, California, and now headquartered at 4010 Watson Plaza Drive, Suite 210, Lakewood, CA. The society serves over 749 dentists across 28 cities in the Los Angeles Harbor area through tripartite membership with the American Dental Association (ADA) and California Dental Association (CDA), making HDS the recognized component society for that region. Its mission centers on continuing education (CE) delivery for licensure renewal, legislative advocacy, professional networking, practice management support, and community oral health initiatives (including founding the Children's Dental Health Clinic in 1931 and driving a 20-year fluoridation campaign in Long Beach in the 1950s).

Core products include the Viva Online Learning Platform (online CE courses, live webinars, podcasts, and product trainings at harbor.dentalsocietyce.com), an in-person CE series, a quarterly digital publication called THE JOURNAL, a public Find-a-Dentist directory, a one-on-one mentorship program pairing experienced dentists with newer graduates, and practice transitions courses for buying, selling, and valuing dental practices. The society also curates an endorsed vendor platform that delivers members discounted access to dental supplies (Torch Dental), payment processing (Rectangle Health), in-house membership plan software (Clerri), dental staffing (DirectDental, Cloud Dentistry), marketing (Dental Revenue), social brand management (Swell), HR/payroll (ADP), and practice financing (Bank of America, Provide/U.S. Bank, Henry Schein). Recent CE curriculum has been co-developed with AI vendors including Overjet (4-part AI CE webinar series spanning AI Impact, Digital Dentistry, AI-Enabled Hygiene, and Insurance Navigation) and Pearl (Maximizing AI in Dentistry course, October 22, 2026).

Revenue is generated across five streams: tripartite membership dues (handled through the CDA portal with value-driven pricing not publicly disclosed), annual vendor exhibiting and CE sponsorship packages ($1,800/year for full access), quarterly advertising in THE JOURNAL ($200 per half-page ad per issue), paid CE course fees ($49-$79 for non-members; free for members), and ADHP (Allied Dental Health Professional) online CE subscriptions at $50/year for member dental staff. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and membership-driven, with direct outreach through events, webinars, email newsletters (minimum 2x per month), social media (Facebook, YouTube, Linktree), and a vendor-partner referral ecosystem. Annual revenue is not publicly disclosed, but the geographic scope is strictly regional: 28 cities in the Los Angeles Harbor area, with no national or international footprint claimed.

Name

Harbor Dental Society

Legal name

Harbor Dental Society

Website

https://harbordentalsociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Harbor Dental Society provides dental carrer and educational programs for dentists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Annual Vendor Exhibiting and Sponsorship: Annual vendor partnerships and CE program sponsorships providing branding visibility and access to member dentists.
2. Advertising in THE JOURNAL: Quarterly digital publication advertising at $200 per half-page ad per issue.
3. CE Course Fees: Continuing education courses with varying fee structures - free for members, $49-$79 for non-members depending on course type.
4. ADHP Subscription: Allied Dental Health Professional Online CE Subscription at $50 per year for dental staff of member dentists.
5. Membership Dues: Revenue from membership fees from dentists who join Harbor Dental Society, California Dental Association, and American Dental Association tripartite membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Harbor Dental Society operates as a nonprofit professional membership association for dentists in the Los Angeles Harbor area. Its core offering is tripartite HDS/CDA/ADA membership, bundled with continuing education programs (live webinars, in-person courses, on-demand online courses via the Viva platform), mentorship, practice transitions resources, advocacy, and access to an endorsed vendor network of discounted practice solutions. Additional offerings include a public Find-a-Dentist directory and a quarterly digital publication (THE JOURNAL).

Product overview

Harbor Dental Society is a professional association for dentists providing a comprehensive platform of member benefits and services. The core offerings include the Find a Dentist patient directory, Viva Online Learning Platform for continuing education (CE) with live webinars and on-demand courses, mentorship programs, practice transitions services, and THE JOURNAL quarterly publication. The society also offers an endorsed vendor network providing discounted access to dental supplies (Torch Dental), payment processing (Rectangle Health), dental membership plans (Clerri), dental staffing (DirectDental), marketing (Dental Revenue), HR/payroll (ADP), and practice financing solutions. Additional services include annual vendor sponsorship programs, community outreach through the HDS Foundation, and networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tripartite HDS/CDA/ADA Membership
• Viva Online Learning Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 out of 10 dentists are members of Harbor Dental Society
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, preferred and minor.

• California Dental Association (CDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTripartite membership structure with CDA and ADA. CDA provides statewide advocacy, resources, and practice support. HDS serves as CDA component society representing dentists in the Harbor coverage area.
• American Dental Association (ADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTripartite membership structure with ADA and CDA. ADA provides national advocacy, resources, and standards for organized dentistry.
• OverjetcoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered dental technology partner sponsoring the 4-part AI CE webinar series. Overjet provides dental AI for radiographic interpretation, insurance navigation, and practice efficiency. CE topics include AI Impact, Digital Dentistry, AI-Enabled Hygiene, and Insurance Navigation.
• Rectangle HealthpreferredGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred vendor offering Practice Management Bridge platform with payment solutions (Bridgetm Payments), compliance tools (Bridgetm Compliance), and patient engagement (Bridgetm Engagement). Exclusive member pricing and free demos available.
• Torch DentalpreferredGTM or Marketing PartnerAll-in-one dental supply platform offering ordering and payment solutions. Claims up to 32% cost savings on supplies. Popular vendors include Ultradent, Bisco, GC Orthodontics, and others.
• Clerri (formerly Kleer)preferredGTM or Marketing PartnerDental membership plan software solution enabling practices to offer subscription-based dental plans directly to patients without insurance middleman.
• Dental RevenuepreferredGTM or Marketing PartnerDental-only digital marketing agency providing brand development, website design, content, paid/organic marketing strategy, and reporting tools.
• SwellpreferredGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial branding and online review management solution helping dental practices build online presence through reviews and social media branding.
• DirectDentalpreferredGTM or Marketing PartnerDental staffing service for full-time, part-time, and temporary dental staff. Code HARBOR15 provides discount for members.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual exhibitor offering practice financing solutions including startup loans, expansion financing, equipment purchases, and acquisition loans for dentists.
• Provide (U.S. Bank)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPractice financing and banking solutions for dentists with streamlined financing and customer support.
• Cloud DentistryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental staffing service enabling dental offices to book dental staff on demand with flat fees. Free for dental professionals.
• ROAM Commercial RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare real estate services handling negotiations, leases, and building transactions for dental practices.
• Henry Schein DentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental supplies distributor with comprehensive product catalog for dental practices.
• SHOFUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental materials manufacturer offering abrasives, diamonds, carbides, cements, preventives, restoratives, ceramics, CAD/CAM, and wireless diode lasers.
• TruAbutmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental implant solutions provider offering CAD/CAM custom abutments with digital workflow.
• EnovaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental equipment provider offering loupes, LED headlights, and dental microscopes for dentistry and oral surgery.
• HDS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Harbor Dental Society Foundation supports community outreach including dental hygiene scholarships, Children's Dental Health Clinic, and Orthodontic Program. Participates in Long Beach Gives annual fundraising.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• California Dental Association (CDA): CDA is the statewide tripartite parent of Harbor Dental Society and provides advocacy, practice support, and CE. Directly comparable as a membership organization serving California dentists with overlapping dues and benefit offerings.
• American Dental Association (ADA): ADA is the national tripartite parent of Harbor Dental Society, providing national advocacy, standards, and CE. Comparable as a professional dental membership society serving U.S. dentists with overlapping value proposition.

Direct peers

• Los Angeles Dental Society: A fellow California component society under CDA serving dentists in the greater Los Angeles area. Directly comparable as a regional professional dental society offering CE, advocacy, and member benefits in an overlapping geographic market.
• Orange County Dental Society: Another CDA component society serving dentists in Orange County, CA. Directly comparable in structure, services (CE, advocacy, networking), and tripartite membership model.
• San Diego County Dental Society: CDA component society serving San Diego County dentists. Directly comparable regional dental membership organization with CE programs, advocacy, and member benefits.
• Humboldt-Del Norte County Dental Society: A smaller California component dental society serving a rural Northern California region. Comparable as a regional CDA component society with similar membership, CE, and advocacy offerings at smaller scale.

Emerging players

• Dental Hygiene Academy: Online continuing education platform targeting dental professionals with subscription-based CE. Comparable as a provider of CE to the same dental member base but without geographic limitations, representing a competitive substitute for Harbor's Viva platform.

Others

• Overjet: AI-powered dental radiology and insurance platform that is an active CE partner and sponsor of Harbor Dental Society. Comparable as an AI vendor in the dental ecosystem that participates in Harbor's CE and sponsorship channels.
• Torch Dental: All-in-one dental supply platform offering ordering and payment solutions to practices. Comparable as a preferred-vendor partner serving Harbor's member dentists with exclusive discounts and practice procurement tools.
• DirectDental: Online dental staffing marketplace connecting dental offices with hygienists, assistants, and dentists. Comparable as a preferred-vendor partner delivering member-only discounts to Harbor Dental Society members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/harbordentalsociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/HarborDentalSociety
• Xx.com/HarborDentalSoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harbor-dental-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harbor Dental Society