North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS)
Your guide to organized dentistry in North Carolina: membership, the annual meeting, local component societies, the state dental board, and CE/license-renewal requirements.
About the North Carolina Dental Society
The North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS), founded in 1856, is one of the oldest dental societies in the United States and is the ADA's constituent (state) society for North Carolina. It represents more than 3,900 member dentists statewide and operates within the ADA tripartite structure — every NCDS member is also an ADA member, and members belong to one of the society's geographic districts.
The NCDS is headquartered at 1600 Evans Road in Cary, in the Research Triangle. Its tripartite/district structure has five districts forming the local leg of organized dentistry in the state. Governance includes officers (President, President-Elect), a Board, and a House of Delegates; the society also maintains an NC-ADA delegation to the national ADA House of Delegates.
The NCDS advocates before the North Carolina General Assembly on dental practice, scope, and access-to-care issues, runs continuing education and its Annual Session, and operates affiliated entities including the NC Dental Society Foundation and NC Dental Services (a member services/endorsed-products arm). Its mission centers on supporting members and advancing the oral health of North Carolinians.
Annual Meeting: NCDS Annual Session
Late spring (May); recent sessions have been held at coastal resort destinations. The 2025 Annual Session was held at Kingston Resorts, Myrtle Beach, SC, May 16–18, 2025; the 2024 session was also in Myrtle Beach
The NCDS Annual Session combines CE courses, an exhibit hall, House of Delegates business, and awards programming.
Component & Local Dental Societies
The NCDS uses a five-district structure (rather than many small county components) as the local leg of its tripartite organization. The five numbered districts each cover a multi-county region of the state (Western, Piedmont/Triad, Triangle/central, eastern, and coastal regions).
Licensing Board
North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners
The board licenses and regulates dentists — distinct from the NCDS, which is a voluntary membership and advocacy body.
www.ncdentalboard.orgCE & License Renewal
- Hours: 15 hours per year
- Cycle: Annual — CE measured on a calendar-year basis (January–December)
- Mandatory topics: Self-study courses are allowed only if related to clinical patient care, offered by a Board-approved sponsor, and followed by a passed test with a certificate of completion. Licensees report completed CE hours annually on the renewal form. Reduced requirements apply to semi-retired dentists and certain practice settings.
Always verify current requirements with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners before renewal.
Dental Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina Dental Market Snapshot
- Major metros: Charlotte, the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Cary-Chapel Hill), Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point (Triad), Asheville, Wilmington, Greenville, Fayetteville.
- One of the fastest-growing US states; strong DSO presence in Charlotte and the Triangle, with abundant solo/small-group practices in rural eastern and western NC.
- Growing Hispanic/Latino population (especially in metro and agricultural regions) plus large university/college populations.
- Multilingual front-desk support and high call volume from rapid in-migration are relevant.
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North Carolina Dental Association FAQ
How many CE hours do North Carolina dentists need to renew a license?
North Carolina dentists must complete 15 hours per year, annual — ce measured on a calendar-year basis (january–december). Mandatory topics include Self-study courses are allowed only if related to clinical patient care, offered by a Board-approved sponsor, and followed by a passed test with a certificate of completion. Licensees report completed CE hours annually on the renewal form. Reduced requirements apply to semi-retired dentists and certain practice settings.. Always confirm current rules with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners.
What is the difference between the NCDS and the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners?
The North Carolina Dental Society is a voluntary membership and advocacy organization for dentists. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners is the government body that licenses dentists and enforces regulations. Membership in the association is optional; licensure through the board is mandatory to practice.
Sources
- www.ncdental.org/about-us — founding 1856, 3,900+ members, five districts, tripartite structure, current officers
- www.ncdental.org/about-us/contact-us — HQ address (1600 Evans Road, Cary)
- www.ncdental.org/about-us/governance-leadership/nc-ada-delegation — governance / NC-ADA delegation
- www.ncdental.org/meetings-events — Annual Session / events
- www.emedevents.com/c/medical-conferences-2025/north-carolina-dental-society-ncds-2025-annual-session — 2025 Annual Session, Myrtle Beach, May 16–18
- www.ncdentalboard.org/continuing_education.htm — CE requirements (15 hrs/year, annual calendar cycle)
- reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2021%20-%20occupational%20licensing%20boards%20and%20commissions/chapter%2016%20-%20dental%20examiners/subchapter%20r/subchapter%20r%20rules.pdf — 21 NCAC 16R CE rules
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNC_Adams_School_of_Dentistry — UNC Adams School of Dentistry (1950, CODA status)
- dental.ecu.edu/ — ECU School of Dental Medicine (2011)
- www.highpoint.edu/dental-medicine/ — High Point Workman School of Dental Medicine (2024)
- ncds.services/ — NC Dental Services / member services arm
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