The CDA Foundation is marking 25 years of advancing oral health equity by transforming its dental clinic model to focus on sustainable, community-based care. While past large-scale events successfully provided urgent relief and raised awareness, the Foundation’s new approach—CDA Cares Connects clinics—aims to connect patients to ongoing care in their local communities.
Since its launch in 2012, CDA Cares clinics have offered free dental services to Californians facing barriers to care. These two-day events, often held at fairgrounds or convention centers, served hundreds of patients per clinic. Over the years, more than 30,000 patients received services valued at $25.22 million, thanks to nearly 27,000 volunteers, including dentists, hygienists, health professionals, and community members.
The clinics not only addressed immediate dental needs—providing cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, and prosthodontics—but also highlighted systemic gaps in oral health access. They played a crucial advocacy role, influencing policy decisions such as the reinstatement of adult Medi-Cal dental benefits in 2018.
“CDA Cares gave us an organized, efficient way to help so many people, and the gratitude was inspiring,” said Dr. Richard Barnes, past chair of the Foundation’s CDA Cares committee.
The newly branded CDA Cares Connects clinics reflect the Foundation’s shift toward sustainable, ongoing care. These clinics are hosted in partnership with local dental practices or community clinics, allowing for more frequent outreach, better care coordination, and follow-up in underserved or remote areas.
“The changes reflect CDA’s attention and adaptation to the needs of Californians,” said Dr. Alyssa Nowlen, chair of the Foundation’s patient care committee. “Mini clinics in high-need areas help establish dental homes and support continuity of care.”
The CDA Cares Connects model emphasizes targeted volunteer engagement, efficient logistics, and post-clinic impact tracking to ensure lasting benefits. The new name highlights the mission: connecting patients to dental homes, communities to care, and volunteerism to meaningful, long-term impact.
As the Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, CDA Cares Connects represents both a continuation of compassion and a commitment to future oral health equity. Californians interested in volunteering or partnering with the Foundation can learn more about its community-driven initiatives to improve oral and overall health across the state.