The CDA Foundation programs and grants equip dental professionals to treat those who experience barriers to care. We have enjoyed many victories in the fight to decrease dental disease and increase dental health, improving the quality of life for countless Californians.

Since its inception in 2001, the CDA Foundation has:

• Provided over $500,000 in grants to local agencies and component-related programs to expand dental care in communities.
• Awarded scholarships to nearly 200 dental students and more than 500 allied personnel.
• Bestowed community service grants to new dentists to practice in underserved areas of California resulting in more than $2 million in dental care provided to families.
• Developed the First Smiles – First 5 Education and Training Project that has trained nearly 13,000 dental providers on the newest science in early childhood caries.
• Increased availability of community water fluoridation to nearly 63 percent of all Californians, a remarkable increase from 17 percent in the 1992. A statistic that translates to an estimated 23.2 million residents receiving the benefits of fluoridation.
• Granted 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.
• Provided more than $150,000 to assist dentists affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.