CDA Cares

(Sponsored by the California Dental Association)​

CDA Cares Volunteer Dental Program

An estimated 10 million Californians experience barriers to dental care. The California Dental Association and CDA Foundation host CDA Cares, a program that allows volunteer dentists, with the assistance of other dental professionals and community volunteers, to provide dental services at no charge to approximately 2,000 people at each event.

Through CDA Cares, efforts to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of good oral health and the need for an adequately funded dental safety net are having an impact. Adult Denti-Cal benefits eliminated by the state in 2009 were partially restored in 2014; however, the program remains chronically underfunded and leaves many, including the working poor, without access to care.

How You Can Help

To help provide oral health care services to the large number of expected people, we need volunteer dental and medical professionals, including general dentists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, nurses, physicians and pharmacists.

Additionally, community volunteers are needed to assist with registration, clinic setup, data entry, escorting people, translating and much more.

CDA Cares offers extractions, fillings, cleanings, oral health education and assistance finding a source for ongoing dental care. On a limited basis, CDA Cares also offers root canals, dentures and temporary partial dentures.