California Dental Association

The California Dental Association (CDA) is a nonprofit, professional organization representing organized dentistry in California. Founded in 1870, CDA’s membership currently consists of 27,000 dentists in 32 local dental societies throughout the state of California, making it the largest constituent of the American Dental Association.

CDA and its members champion proper oral health care for Californians. CDA supports dentists through resources, including education, practice support, advocacy and protection. CDA takes pride in its mission to meet community needs across the state.

The CDA Foundation was formed as the philanthropic arm of the California Dental Association in 2001 with the mission to improve the oral health of all Californians by supporting the dental health profession in its efforts to meet community needs. The CDA Foundation provides grants and scholarships to dental students and professionals, promotes oral health prevention and education, and holds CDA Cares dental clinics around the state that provide dental care at no charge to Californians in need.

To date, CDA Cares events have provided $18 million in care to more than 22,000 patients through eleven clinics in California.

The Student Loan Repayment Grant program, which began in 2002, has placed 17 dentists into clinics where they have provided oral health services to nearly 75,000 patients valued at more than $24 million in care to communities where individuals would otherwise go without.