CDA Cares
Free Dental Clinics
An estimated 10 million Californians experience barriers to dental care. The California Dental Association, the CDA Foundation and national partner America's Dentists Care Foundation, host CDA Cares, free dental clinics to provide oral health services and education for more than 1,500 patients at each event.
The need is greater than ever. State budget cuts eliminated virtually all adult Denti-Cal benefits in 2009, decimating oral health services for more than 3 million poor, disabled and elderly Californians. In addition, the state eliminated funding for the California Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program (SB 111), which provided preventive oral health care and vital resources to low-income children. Dental disease is the most chronic childhood disease – more common than asthma and obesity – affecting nearly two-thirds of California’s children by the time they reach third grade.
How you can help
To help provide oral health care services to the large number of expected patients, we need volunteer dental and health professionals including general dentists, oral surgeons, dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, nurses and pharmacists.
Additionally, community volunteers are needed to assist with registration, clinic setup, data entry, escorting patients, translating, and much more.
Patients will receive cleanings, fillings, extractions, oral health education and assistance in finding a dentist for follow-up care.
To get involved, register by clicking one of the locations under "Volunteer" at the upper right corner of this page.
Upcoming events:
CDA Cares Modesto
May 18 & 19, 2012
Modesto Centre Plaza
1000 L Street
CDA Cares Sacramento
August 24 & 25, 2012
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
To learn more, check out The Oregon Dental Association Missions of Mercy free dental clinic video below.
Oregon Dental Association Mission of Mercy