Impact

It’s hard to measure how many lives have been changed dramatically as a result of the CDA Foundation. We represent the best of dentistry in California – the collective heart of thousands of dental professionals who are grateful for the profession they have chosen and the life they’ve been given. They align themselves with the CDA Foundation because of our goal to bring about real change in the dental care system by helping dentists increase access to care.

The CDA Foundation strategically designs its programs and grants to equip dental professionals to treat those who are not currently able to receive restorative and preventive dental care. Though young by Foundation standards, the CDA Foundation has enjoyed many victories in the fight towards decreasing dental disease and increasing dental health, resulting in a greater overall health and quality of life for countless Californians. We believe the facts speak for themselves.

Since it’s inception in 2001, the CDA Foundation has:

  • Provided nearly $400,000 in grants to local agencies and component-related programs to expand dental care in communities.
  • Awarded scholarships to nearly 200 dental students and well over 500 allied personnel.
  • Provided community service grants to young dentists to practice in underserved areas of California resulting in more than $2 million in dental care provided to families.
  • Created the Pediatric Oral Health Access Program resulting in nearly 300 newly trained dentists who have accepted over 16,000 new children into their practice, and have provided free treatment to more than 2,000 young children which translates into approximately $2,000,000 of free dental services.
  • Created the First Smiles – First 5 Education and Training Project has trained nearly 13,000 dental providers on the newest science in early childhood caries.
  • Increased availability of Community Water Fluoridation for nearly 65% of all Californians.
  • Provided funding for Mobile Dental Clinics serving 800 + patients.
  • Partnered with the San Mateo County Dental Society to fund and implement the Geriatric Oral Health Access Program.
  • Created a fund to provide financial relief for California dentists and their families who experience a disaster/hardship.
  • Provided over $150,000 to assist dentists affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

As you can see by the IMPACT map, the Foundation’s programs are having long reaching effects across the state of California.