PIERCE COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY

What PIERCE COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY does

Pierce County Dental Society (PCDS) is a non-profit professional dental association founded in 1887 as the Tacoma Dental Society and later renamed to reflect its coverage of Pierce County, Washington. It operates as a component society of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Washington State Dental Association (WSDA), serving over 385 member dentists—approximately 55% of dentists practicing in the county. Its service portfolio spans member-facing offerings (continuing education events, classified job listings, peer review mediation, networking) and community-facing offerings (a free public dentist referral database, multi-language office listings, low-cost resource directories, and the Dentists Care volunteer pro bono program).

PCDS funds its operations primarily through member dues coordinated via WSDA and transactional fees from classified advertising on pcdentists.org ($30 for the first 20 words plus $1 per additional word; $20 per month subscription for the employment list). Corporate sponsorship, event registrations, and grants via the affiliated Pierce County Dental Foundation (formed 2003) provide additional revenue. The Foundation manages a charitable endowment targeting $1,000,000 and has cumulatively disbursed over $315,000 to non-profits supporting dental access and education; member dentists have donated over $1,000,000 in pro bono care to low-income residents.

The organization runs a deliberately lean operation with one full-time staff person—Executive Director Cindy Stephen—and a Community Outreach Coordinator, supported by a volunteer Board of Trustees composed of elected member dentists (President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President, and Trustees serving staggered terms through 2027). It has no proprietary technology product, no AI/ML capabilities, no mobile application, and no disclosed revenue or audited financials. Strategically, PCDS is best characterized as a stable membership association focused on professional standards, peer support, and community oral health within a tightly bounded county-level service area rather than a growth-oriented commercial entity.

Company Description (short): Pierce County Dental Society is a non-profit component society of the ADA and WSDA, serving 385+ member dentists in Pierce County, Washington through education, peer review, public dentist referrals, and the Dentists Care volunteer pro bono program.

Name

PIERCE COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY

Legal name

Pierce County Dental Society

Website

https://pcdentists.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pierce County Dental Society is a non-profit component society of the ADA and WSDA that serves more than 385 member dentists in Pierce County, Washington, providing continuing education, peer review mediation, public dentist referrals, and the Dentists Care pro bono volunteer program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Dental Association Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (621210)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Public Health Dentistry Clinics (FQHC/School-Based/Nonprofit) (HLABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

School/Community-Based Preventive Dental Programs (HLABAHAM)

Keywords

• Dental professional association
• Dentist referral services
• Continuing dental education
• Peer review mediation
• Charitable dental care

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Revenue generated from membership dues for dentists who join the Pierce County Dental Society as a component society of ADA and WSDA.
2. Classified Ad Fees: The society charges $30.00 for the first twenty words and $1.00 for each additional word for classified/job ads that remain on the page for 30 days. Monthly subscription for employment list is $20.00.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pierce County Dental Society is a non-profit professional association that delivers member services to 385+ Pierce County dentists—including continuing education, peer review mediation, classifieds/job listings, and networking—while providing the public with free dentist referrals, low-cost dental resource directories, and charitable dental care programs through the Dentists Care volunteer initiative and Pierce County Dental Foundation.

Product overview

Pierce County Dental Society is a component society of the American Dental Association and Washington State Dental Association, serving over 385 member dentists in Pierce County. The organization provides a unified portfolio of member services including: a dentist referral database for patients seeking care, the Pierce County Dental Foundation for charitable giving and grants, peer review mediation services, classifieds and job listings for dental professionals, low-cost dental resources, the Dentists Care volunteer program, and calendar of educational events. These services are designed to support both member dentists and the community through education, access to care, and professional networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find a Dentist Database Free public referral service connecting Pierce County patients to ADA-member dentists, including a downloadable list of multi-language dental offices in the county.
• Pierce County Dental Foundation Non-profit charitable arm established in 2003 that raises and disperses funds for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes supporting access to dental care in Pierce County, with a $1,000,000 endowment goal.
• Peer Review Free mediation service for the public to resolve disagreements with member dentists regarding the appropriateness and quality of dental care.
• Classifieds and Job Listings Job posting and classified advertising service for dental professionals and practices, with fees of $30 for the first 20 words and $1 per additional word, plus a $20/month subscription option for employment list distribution.
• Low-cost Resources Curated public directory of low-cost dental resources, including links to the 211 website, WSDA Special Needs Directory, and Tacoma Pierce County Health Department resources.
• Dentists Care Program Volunteer program through which Pierce County dentists donate free dental care to low-income individuals in dental need, including free dental day events; over $1,000,000 in donated care since inception.
• Calendar of Events (Continuing Education & Member Meetings) Schedule of educational events and membership meetings for member dentists, including General Membership Meetings (GMM), Golf Day events, Pickleball events, and community health events.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Big Sky NorthwestminorOthersCorporate sponsor of Pierce County Dental Society. Located at 19560 38th Ave N, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. Phone: (206) 259-0936.
• Custom Dental Aesthetics, Inc.minorOthersCorporate sponsor - NADL & ACDL Certified Laboratory creating beautiful restorations since 1977. Located at 7727 40th St West, Suite C, University Place, WA 98466. Phone: (800) 694-1035.
• Delaney Construction, LLCminorOthersCorporate sponsor. Located at 13423 74th Street East, Puyallup, WA 98372. Contact: Zach Thibodeau, President. Phone: (253) 778-5587.
• D-MMEX EasyrefineminorOthersCorporate sponsor - Endorsed by 10 state dental associations. Located at 27201 Ryan Rd, Warren, MI 48092. Phone: (800) 741-3174.
• South Sound Gamma Knife at St. JosephminorOthersCorporate sponsor - Solution for patients struggling with trigeminal neuralgia. Located at 1802 S. Yakima, Suite 103, Tacoma, WA 98405. Phone: (253) 284-2438.
• Nakanishi Dental Laboratory, IncminorOthersCorporate sponsor - Dental laboratory with locations in Bellevue and Fife, WA. Contact: (425) 822-2245 or toll free (800) 735-7231.
• Ritter Plumbing ServicesminorOthersCorporate sponsor. Located at PO Box 1329, Ravensdale, WA 98051. Contact: Jacob Ritter. Phone: (206) 769-6914.
• Washington Dentist's Insurance Agency (WDIA)minorOthersCorporate sponsor providing disability, life, long term care, medical insurance and TDIC services. Located at 126 NW Canal Street, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98107. Phone: 206-441-6824.
• Wildcard Dental IT SupportminorOthersCorporate sponsor providing IT support services. Located at PO Box 78249, Seattle, WA 98178. Phone: (206) 686-1755.
• American Dental Association (ADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCDS is a component society of the American Dental Association. Integration includes ADA Find A Dentist search tool and alignment with ADA standards and resources.
• Washington State Dental Association (WSDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCDS is a component society of WSDA. Membership is coordinated through WSDA's member center with links to join PCDS through WSDA.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• California Dental Association: A large state-level dental society that operates a similar component-society model with member services, advocacy, and CE. Comparable in organizational structure and revenue model to PCDS's WSDA parent.
• Florida Dental Association: A large state dental association with a component-society model similar to PCDS's, providing member services, advocacy, and peer review infrastructure.
• Chicago Dental Society: A long-established regional dental society with a similar mix of member services, CE programming, and community-facing initiatives. Comparable in longevity (founded 1865) and member-driven non-profit structure.
• Massachusetts Dental Society: A state-level dental society that delivers member benefits, advocacy, CE, and community programs through district societies, mirroring the layered ADA/State/County structure PCDS operates within.
• American Dental Association: The national umbrella organization of which PCDS is a component society. ADA membership and standards are integral to PCDS operations, providing the most direct organizational comparison at a national scale.
• Washington State Dental Association: The state-level parent society of which PCDS is a component. WSDA provides state-wide advocacy, CE, and membership infrastructure that PCDS leverages, making it the closest direct organizational analog at a larger geographic scope.

Others

• Dental Trade Alliance: Industry association representing dental product manufacturers and distributors. Relevant as PCDS's corporate sponsors include dental labs and product vendors that participate in this ecosystem.

Emerging players

• National Network for Oral Health Access: A non-profit focused on expanding access to oral health for underserved populations. Comparable to PCDS's Dentists Care charitable mission and Foundation grantmaking focus.

Regional players

• Oregon Dental Association: Neighboring state dental association with a comparable component-society structure, CE offerings, and member services to those PCDS coordinates with WSDA.

Direct peers

• Seattle-King County Dental Society: Adjacent county-level component dental society serving dentists in Washington's most populous county. Operates an almost identical model of referrals, peer review, CE events, and charitable programs, making it the most directly comparable peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pierce-county-dental-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 PIERCE COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY