The CDA Foundation is accepting applications until May 31 for its Webb Family Grant, which provides up to $5,000 annually to support the education and training of dental professionals across California.
The grant is open to eligible dentists, dental students, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and individuals enrolled in accredited dental hygiene or dental assisting programs. Board-approved dental education programs are also eligible to apply.
Designed to ease educational costs and strengthen the state’s dental workforce, the Webb Family Grant typically awards funding to one qualifying individual or institution each year to be used toward approved educational expenses.
Eligibility is limited to individuals who have graduated from an accredited dental school, dental hygiene program, or dental assisting program in California within the past three years, or who are expected to graduate within the next six months. Applicants must also have received student loans from government or licensed commercial lenders in the United States. Dentists and registered dental hygienists in alternative practice (RDHAPs) must additionally provide proof of employment with a licensed California dentist or proof of self-employment.
For educational institutions, eligibility requires approval from the Dental Board of California, the Dental Hygiene Board of California, or the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Programs must also submit a summary of their curriculum and explain how grant funds would be applied.
Founded in 2014, the grant is named in honor of Dr. Russell Webb and Kathi Webb, founding contributors to the CDA Foundation. The couple, known for their longstanding commitment to volunteerism in dentistry, began their community service work early in their relationship, including volunteering together at a free clinic in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
“Helping others is why Kathi and I have dedicated our lives to dentistry,” Dr. Webb said.
The Foundation said the grant reflects the Webbs’ dedication to supporting individuals and programs that demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism and service within the dental community.
Applications may receive additional consideration if applicants have lived or worked in a Health Professional Shortage Area, come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or have developed cultural and linguistic competencies that serve diverse communities in California.
The 2025 recipient, Dr. Kelsey Sloane, graduated from the University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2022 and now works with United Indian Health Services, serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities in rural Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Profiles of past recipients are available through the application portal.
The CDA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the California Dental Association, says its broader mission is to improve oral and overall health across the state by supporting dental professionals in meeting community needs through grants and awards.
In addition to the Webb Family Grant, the Foundation is offering several awards and funding opportunities in 2026, including the Arthur A. Dugoni Award (Jan. 1–April 17), the Humanitarian Award (April 1–May 31), and the Public Health Leadership Award (April 1–May 31). Current grants also include the Dental School Wellness Grant (open until funds are exhausted) and the Dr. Gale Kloeffler Award (April 1–May 31), while the Dental Materials & Supplies Grant has been paused for 2026.
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