What International College of Dentists does

The International College of Dentists (ICD), founded in Tokyo, Japan in November 1920, is the oldest and largest international dental honor society in the world. It is structured as a U.S. 501c3 public charity headquartered in Flint, Michigan, with a small global office staff of approximately five senior personnel plus remote contractors. ICD recognizes outstanding dental professionals through invitation-only Fellowship, granting the FICD (Fellow of the International College of Dentists) post-nominal title, alongside additional categories including Master Fellows, Honorary Fellows, and Life Fellows for retired members.

The organization's product surface consists of membership services rather than commercial products. Core offerings include the award-winning flagship journal The Globe and the digital news platform ICD Connect (which replaced The College Today newsletter in 2024); the Global Visionary Fund, a U.S. 501c3 charitable vehicle funding humanitarian and educational oral health projects worldwide; the Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI), a year-long leadership certification program at $20,000 per participant that ICD acquired from the Global Child Dental Fund in 2024 with faculty from Harvard and King's College London; grant programs in partnership with Henry Schein Cares; the ICD-WUDAA Dental Student Scholarship Program; and educational initiatives on antimicrobial resistance and dental safety.

ICD generates revenue through four primary streams: recurring membership dues paid by 12,000+ Fellows across 16 Sections and 140+ countries (pricing varies by Section); one-time merchandise sales (Fellowship pins at $45, Master Fellow packages at $75, banners, flags, backpacks); tax-deductible donations to the Global Visionary Fund across nine donor tiers ranging from Contributor (under $99) to Platinum Circle ($100,000+); and professional services fees from the GOHLI program. Distribution is direct-to-Fellow via the Global Headquarters and a federated governance structure of 16 Sections spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Strategic partnerships include Henry Schein Cares Foundation (in-kind product grants), Harvard University and King's College London (GOHLI faculty), and the Washington University Dental Alumni Association (scholarship co-funding).

Name

International College of Dentists

Legal name

International College of Dentists

Website

https://icd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International College of Dentists is a nonprofit dental honor society, founded in 1920, that recognizes 12,000+ dentists across 140+ countries via invitation-only Fellowship, while delivering humanitarian grants, leadership education (GOHLI), publications, and scholarships through a federated 16-Section global structure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Dental Honor Society

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Oral Hygiene Instruction & Patient Education (HLABAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dental Schools (EDAHAGAF), Community & Public Health Dentistry Clinics (FQHC/School-Based/Nonprofit) (HLABAAAF)

Keywords

• Dental honor society
• Professional fellowship organization
• Continuing dental education
• Humanitarian oral health programs
• Dental leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

Flint

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Fellows pay membership dues to their respective ICD Sections and the Global organization. The amount varies by section and membership category.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of ICD-branded merchandise including Fellowship pins ($45 individual, discounted for sections), Master Fellow packages ($75), banners, flags, and backpacks to Fellows and Sections.
3. Donations to Global Visionary Fund: Tax-deductible charitable donations to the ICD Global Visionary Fund (U.S. 501c3 public charity, Tax ID# 46-3191040) supporting humanitarian and educational oral health programs worldwide.
4. GOHLI Program Fees: The Global Oral Health Leadership Institute charges $20,000 US per participant for the one-year certification program covering accommodation, meals, airfare, virtual sessions, and materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The International College of Dentists is the oldest and largest international dental honor society, recognizing outstanding dentists through peer-reviewed Fellowship (FICD designation). It complements recognition with humanitarian programs (Global Visionary Fund grants), educational initiatives (Global Oral Health Leadership Institute, continuing education webinars on antimicrobial resistance and dental safety), publications (The Globe journal, ICD Connect digital news), and the ICD Dental Student Scholarship Program. Revenue is generated through membership dues, charitable donations, GOHLI certification fees, and branded merchandise sales.

Product overview

The International College of Dentists is a professional membership honor society, not a technology product company. It offers Fellowship programs (FICD, Master Fellowship, Honorary Fellowship) as membership categories, along with publications (The Globe journal, ICD Connect digital news), educational initiatives (Global Oral Health Leadership Institute, Dental Student Scholarship Program), humanitarian programs (Global Visionary Fund grants, Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance, Dental Safety Program), and a developing Fellow Directory platform. These are membership services and programs, not commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Global Visionary Fund: Humanitarian and educational oral health care programs and initiatives, especially in developing communities. A U.S. registered 501c3 public charity with Tax ID#: 46-3191040.
• ICD Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI)

Products and services

• FICD Fellowship Invitation-only peer-reviewed Fellowship designation (FICD) granted to dentists demonstrating outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service, and dedication to advancing dentistry. Candidates must be sponsored by an existing Fellow and evaluated by credential committees before being inducted through Section convocation ceremonies.
• Master Fellowship Rare distinction granted to Active or Life Fellows who have rendered conspicuous and outstanding service to the College itself, requiring International Council or Executive Committee approval. Includes a medallion, certificate with ICD Gold Seal, and presentation box.
• Honorary Fellowship Recognition for individuals (not necessarily dentists) who have rendered conspicuous service to dental science or contributed to the promotion of the dental profession.
• Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI) Year-long certification program for oral health leaders combining virtual sessions with in-person residential courses at Harvard and King's College London. Open to organizational/corporate funded or self-funded applicants at $20,000 per participant.
• Global Visionary Fund (GVF) U.S. registered 501c3 public charity (Tax ID# 46-3191040) supporting and funding humanitarian and educational oral health care programs worldwide, especially in developing communities.
• ICD Grant Programs Humanitarian and educational grant programs including Product Grants (dental materials) and Cash Grants, through partnership with Henry Schein Cares Foundation.
• ICD Dental Student Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program for dental students administered in collaboration with ICD Section I USA Foundation and Washington University Dental Alumni Association.
• The Globe Journal Award-winning flagship publication of ICD, distributed to all Fellows electronically and in print format. Editorial board includes Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors from various nationalities and regions.
• ICD Connect Digital news and updates platform featuring Global News, Section Highlights, and Projects and Missions content. Replaced The College Today newsletter in 2024.
• Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance Program Continuing education program disseminating critical information on antibiotic resistance and appropriate prescribing to ICD Fellows, oral health workers, and patients globally, including webinars offering CE credits.
• ICD Dental Safety Program International continuing education initiative designed to increase knowledge and improve safer practice of oral health professionals in infection control and occupational safety, with emphasis on underserved nations.
• Fellow Directory Membership platform under development that will enable Fellows to log in, update profiles, search for and engage with other Fellows worldwide.
• ICD Branded Merchandise ICD-branded merchandise including Fellowship Pins ($45), Master Fellow packages ($75), Podium Banners ($17), Wall Banners ($52), Logo Flags ($115), and Bettie McKaig Backpacks ($60). All Fellowship Pin proceeds support the Global Visionary Fund.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 dental students received scholarships in 2025 through ICD-WUDAA program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Henry Schein CarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenry Schein Cares Foundation provides product grants (dental materials) to support qualified ICD humanitarian and educational oral health projects worldwide. Received $3.6 million worth of PPE in 2020. Ongoing quarterly grant submission schedule with in-kind product donations.
• Global Child Dental Fund (GCDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCDF previously managed the Senior Dental Leaders (SDL) program which graduated over 200 oral health leaders. ICD acquired and relaunched the program as the Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI) in 2024.
• Washington University St. Louis Dental Alumni Association (WUDAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWUDAA provides advisory support and contributes two scholarships per year to the ICD Dental Student Scholarship Program. Program launched in 2018 with $100,000 approved funding.
• ICD Section I USA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProcesses screening of candidates and final selection of scholarship grant recipients for the ICD Dental Student Scholarship Program. Funds multiple scholarships per year.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard educators serve as faculty for the Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI) year-long certification program, providing strategic leadership training.
• King's College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's College London educators serve as faculty for the Global Oral Health Leadership Institute (GOHLI) year-long certification program, providing strategic leadership training alongside Harvard.
• Bridge2AidminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHumanitarian dental aid organization partnered with ICD for oral health projects in Tanzania (2018).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American College of Dentists: US-based dental honor society that recognizes outstanding leaders and scholars in dentistry. Highly comparable as a peer honor society model serving dentists, though narrower in geographic scope (primarily US/Canada).
• Pierre Fauchard Academy: International dental honor society recognizing outstanding dentists. Directly comparable as a sister international honor society organization with by-invitation fellowship, similar structure and mission to ICD.
• FDI World Dental Federation: International dental federation representing over 200 national dental associations and specialist groups. Direct peer in international dental professional community with similar global humanitarian and educational mission.
• Academy of General Dentistry: US-based professional association for general dentists, focused on continuing education and Fellowship (FAGD/MAGD) recognition. Comparable in serving dentists with continuing education and recognition programs, though broader membership model.

Broad incumbents

• American Dental Association: Largest US professional association for dentists, offering membership, advocacy, education, and publications. Broader incumbent with open membership rather than selective by-invitation model, but serving the same dental professional community.

Emerging players

• International Association for Dental Research: Global organization supporting dental and oral health research with membership across academia and practice. Adjacent peer with overlap in professional community and continuing education, but with stronger research focus.

Regional players

• Royal College of Surgeons of England (Faculty of Dental Surgery): UK-based professional body awarding dental fellowships and memberships. Comparable in awarding recognized dental credentials and serving as a professional community, though regionally focused on UK/Commonwealth.
• British Dental Association: UK professional association and trade union for dentists. Comparable peer in serving dental professional community with publications, education, and advocacy, though UK-focused.
• Canadian Dental Association: National professional association for Canadian dentists, providing advocacy, education, and member services. Comparable as a peer professional dental association operating in one of ICD's Sections.

Others

• American Dental Hygienists' Association: US professional association for dental hygienists. Adjacent peer serving oral health professional community with continuing education and recognition, but focused on hygienists rather than dentists.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwr_zF6aPQsAJCe2iME-Dtg
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalCollegeofDentists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-college-of-dentists

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International College of Dentists