The Close of a Remarkable Year
By Thomas Stewart, DDS CDA President

As we close the economically challenging year of 2009, I wanted to reflect upon the difference the CDA Foundation has and is making to increase access to dental care to California’s most vulnerable. Can we all agree that it is not acceptable when nearly one-third of all Californians do not have a dental home or visit a dentist regularly?

This is a question I posed to the group of leaders during my installation as President of CDA. It is with humility and a sense of great responsibility I take on this role. Among the issues that is near to my heart as it was with my predecessor, Dr. Carol Summerhays, is the issue of access to care to the state’s underserved populations.

Carol Summerhays’ passionate advocacy for the CDA Foundation is contagious, and all of us must continue to support the Foundation’s essential work to whatever extent we are able. An easy way, as you will learn, is to check the box to donate to the CDA Foundation on your dues statement as you are considering a gift this year.

As you will read in this special edition of the CDA Foundation enewsletter, two new dentists, Drs. Siri Ziese and Jose Torres, were added to the growing list of Student Loan Repayment Grant recipients. This flagship program eases the burden of dental school debt by providing young dentists with community grants allowing them to work in a nonprofit setting increasing access to care in their respective communities.

You will also learn about the incredible efforts of Dr. Guillermo Vicuña, the recipient of the Foundation’s second annual Humanitarian Award and about the five access programs that just received CDA Foundation Grants. Finally, it is with great pleasure I invite you click on the link provided to view A Gift That Matters, the heartwarming story about twins whose lives have been forever changed, thanks in part to a CDA Foundation grant to an organization from which they received extensive help.

As we close out this year, I am reminded about how much I have to be grateful for – to work in a profession that is affecting people’s lives and to support an organization like the CDA Foundation that is creating smiles and changing lives. Happy Holidays!