Western Society of Periodontology

What Western Society of Periodontology does

The Western Society of Periodontology (WSP) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit professional membership society founded in 1952 by faculty members in periodontology at the University of Southern California. It serves periodontists, general and restorative dentists, dental hygienists, and graduate dental students across a 14-state western U.S. footprint (Alaska through Wyoming), four Canadian provinces (British Columbia through Manitoba), and Mexico. The organization's mission is non-political continuing education and interdisciplinary collaboration in periodontics, anchored by a 65+ year PubMed-indexed quarterly journal (Periodontal Abstracts), a digital newsletter (Gumline), and recurring in-person and virtual programming.

WSP's core product surface is continuing dental education and member services rather than software. Educational offerings include 14+ annual single-day Team Sessions across western cities (Denver, Spokane, Honolulu, Portland, San Diego, Sacramento), a flagship Annual Session, a Comprehensive CBCT Mastery Course (16 CE hours, $805–$1,890), a premium IV Sedation Training Program delivered with Vesper Institute ($24,250 full tuition, $1,500 member discount), live and on-demand webinars, and the Periodontics Study Club (launched February 2024, six virtual meetings annually). Adjacent member services include a Find a Dentist directory, a $50/month job board, and the Team Dentistry referral management platform connecting general dentists with specialist periodontists. The technology stack is conventional: a WordPress-based website, a MemberClicks member portal, and standard webinar delivery infrastructure. There is no proprietary AI, no mobile app, and no public API.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: tiered annual membership dues ($65 dental/graduate students to $325 periodontists, with geographic variation), CE course fees, IV Sedation tuition, journal subscriptions ($160 US / $199 international), and corporate sponsorships (>$250K annually across 14+ named sponsors). Goldman Association Management, a Tampa-based association management firm, runs day-to-day operations under Executive Director Todd Goldman; WSP itself is governed by an elected volunteer board led by 2025 President Dr. Giles B. Horrocks. The organization is independent, member-driven, and not venture-backed or PE-owned.

Name

Western Society of Periodontology

Legal name

The Western Society of Periodontology

Website

https://wsperio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Western Society of Periodontology is a nonprofit professional membership society serving periodontists, dentists, and dental hygienists across 14 western U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, and Mexico through tiered membership, continuing education events, a PubMed-indexed quarterly journal, and premium certification programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental Professional Education and Membership

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLABACAB

Periodontal Maintenance & Supportive Care

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Dental Care Services/Periodontics (Gum & Implant Services)

SECONDARYHLABAHAG

Oral Hygiene Instruction & Patient Education

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Dental Care Services/Dental Hygiene & Preventive Services

Keywords

• Continuing dental education
• Periodontal professional society
• Dental membership programs
• Clinical dental publications
• Dental certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues ranging from $65/year for dental/graduate students to $325/year for periodontists. Different pricing tiers based on membership category and geographic section. Revenue supports CE programming, publications, and member services.
2. Job Board Advertising: Job posting service for dentists and hygienists at $50 per month for up to 100 words. Members and non-members can post employment opportunities.
3. Periodontal Abstracts Journal: Quarterly peer-reviewed periodontal journal available by subscription. $160/year for US subscribers, $199/year for international subscribers. Revenue from both member and non-member subscriptions.
4. CE Course Fees: Revenue from continuing education course registrations including Team Sessions, CBCT Mastery Course ($1,701-$1,890), and IV Sedation Training Program ($24,250 full tuition). WSP members receive discounts on course fees.
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events and programs. Sponsors include Crest Oral B Pro Shop, Maxxeus, Ultralight Optics, GC Dental, Perio-View, Sunstar, Oral-B, Ivoclar, Waterpik, Septodont, CareCredit, Dentametrix, Kettenbach, and Ultradent. Sponsorship revenue mentioned as exceeding $250K annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Western Society of Periodontology (WSP) is a nonprofit professional membership society founded in 1952 that delivers continuing dental education, scientific publications, and member services for periodontists, restorative dentists, and dental hygienists across 14 western US states, Canadian provinces, and Mexico. Its core offerings include tiered annual memberships, an annual scientific session, Team Session CE events, specialized certification programs (CBCT Mastery, IV Sedation Training), the quarterly Periodontal Abstracts journal, study clubs, a job board, and a Find a Dentist directory.

Product overview

The Western Society of Periodontology operates as a professional membership society rather than a software product company. Its core offerings include educational programs (Team Sessions, CBCT Mastery Course, IV Sedation Training, Webinars), publications (Periodontal Abstracts journal, Gum Line newsletter), and member services (Job Board, Find a Dentist Directory, Team Dentistry referral platform). The society sponsors 14+ CE events annually and provides membership programs with tiered access for periodontists, dentists, hygienists, and students across the western United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSP Membership Programs Tiered annual memberships for periodontists ($295–$325/year), general dentists ($255/year), dental hygienists ($99/year), and dental/graduate students ($65/year), providing access to CE credits, journals, study clubs, member discounts, and the member directory.
• Periodontal Abstracts Quarterly peer-reviewed journal containing abstracts of current periodontal and dental implant literature from scientific journals worldwide, available by subscription to US ($160/year) and international ($199/year) readers.
• Gum Line Newsletter Quarterly digital newsletter written by Tom Kepic, emailed to all members and covering reviews of past and future meetings, events, member interviews, and leadership content.
• Team Sessions Full-day continuing dental education events held at multiple locations across the western region, featuring multiple speakers for periodontists, general dentists, and hygienists, with Hygienist Appreciation Days and multiple CE hours per event.
• Comprehensive CBCT Mastery Course 2-day intensive program providing CBCT application and interpretation training across implant dentistry, endodontics, TMJ evaluation, airway assessment, and maxillofacial pathology, awarding 16 CE hours with didactic and hands-on components.
• IV Sedation Training Program Certification program enabling dentists to become IV sedation certified within 3–6 months, with live didactic training in Tampa, FL and Cincinnati, OH, a $1,500 WSP member discount, and flexible payment plans.
• WSP Webinars Live and on-demand continuing education webinars featuring expert speakers on periodontal and implant topics including implant rehabilitation, marketing for dental practices, and periodontal plastic surgery.
• Periodontics Study Club Exclusive member benefit launched February 2024 hosting six virtual meetings annually on the first Saturday of every other month for periodontists, restorative dentists, and hygienists to exchange knowledge and network professionally.
• Find a Dentist Directory Searchable directory of WSP member dentists across the western region, providing contact information and locations to help patients find periodontal specialists.
• Job Board Job posting service allowing dental practices to advertise dentist or hygienist positions at $50 per month for up to 100 words, available to both members and non-members.
• Team Dentistry Referral Platform Referral management system designed to improve referral tracking, fulfillment, patient satisfaction, and practice revenue for both general dentists and specialists by standardizing the dental referral process.
• Annual Scientific Session Annual multi-day scientific session bringing together periodontists, GPs, and hygienists for keynote lectures, scientific programming, and member networking.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% membership growth in first year under new management
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Crest Oral B Pro ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of WSP events and programs. Provides promotional support and visibility at CE events.
• MaxxeusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting WSP educational initiatives and events.
• Ultralight OpticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of WSP programs and CE offerings.
• GC DentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Western Society of Periodontology educational events.
• Perio-ViewminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Team Session courses. Developer of dental endoscopy technology featured in educational presentations.
• WEO MediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsed dental website and marketing services provider. Offers WSP members up to 15% discounts on website design and management services. Co-founder Ian McNickle provides CE webinars on dental marketing.
• SunstarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Team Session CE courses (Spokane, WA event). Provider of oral health products.
• Oral-BminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for dental hygiene CE courses. Provider of oral care products.
• IvoclarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental manufacturer sponsor for CE programs and educational events.
• WaterpikminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for dental hygiene education and CE courses.
• SeptodontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical sponsor for local anesthesia CE courses. Provider of dental anesthetics.
• CareCreditminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare financing sponsor for CE programs helping practices understand patient payment options.
• DentametrixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of hygiene CE programs featuring practice management solutions.
• KettenbachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental materials sponsor for educational events and CE courses.
• UltradentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDental manufacturer sponsor for hygiene education and CE programming.
• Vesper InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for IV Sedation Training Program delivery. Hosts live didactic training sessions in Tampa, FL and Cincinnati, OH. Also hosts CBCT Mastery courses in Cincinnati, OH.
• Goldman Association ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional association management company overseeing all WSP operations. Grew membership 40% in first year and expanded events from 4 to 18+ annually. Also manages Oregon Society of Periodontists, Arizona Society of Periodontists, Washington State Society of Periodontists, Rocky Mountain Society of Periodontists, and Inter-mountain Society of Periodontists.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Academy of General Dentistry: Professional society for general dentists with a strong CE and fellowship pathway. Direct peer to WSP's general dentist membership tier, competing for the same continuing education and engagement dollars.
• American Academy of Periodontology: National professional society for periodontists in the US. Direct peer as the parent-level organization to WSP's regional specialty focus, offering overlapping CE, advocacy, and membership services on a broader geographic scale.
• Southern Academy of Periodontology: Another US regional periodontal society providing CE and membership services to periodontists and referring dentists in the Southeast. Comparable operating model, geographic complement to WSP's western footprint.
• American Dental Hygienists' Association: National professional society for dental hygienists. Direct peer to WSP's hygienist membership segment, which represents a meaningful share of WSP's community and CE consumers.
• California Society of Periodontists: State-level periodontal society also managed by Goldman Association Management. Sister organization to WSP with overlapping but state-focused membership, events, and sponsor ecosystem.
• Northeastern Society of Periodontists: Regional periodontal professional society serving the US Northeast. Direct peer to WSP operating an essentially identical business model (membership, CE events, publications) in a different US region.

Emerging players

• Spear Education: Private dental CE platform serving general dentists and specialists with seminars, workshops, and online learning. Comparable in CE delivery mechanism and target audience, but operates as a commercial enterprise rather than a membership society.
• International Team for Implantology: International dental implantology organization providing CE, fellowships, and research. Adjacent peer overlapping with WSP's implant-related CE offerings on a global scale.
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry: Specialty society focused on dental implantology, an area where WSP's IV Sedation and CBCT Mastery courses overlap. Competes for periodontists pursuing implant-focused CE and credentials.

Broad incumbents

• American Dental Association: The largest US dental professional organization with overlapping membership across all dental roles. Acts as the broad incumbent whose CE programs and journals compete for member attention alongside WSP's regional offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WSPerio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9411723/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/wsperio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Western Society of Periodontology