Dental News - CDA Cares delivers oral health services to 2,026 people

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CDA Cares delivers oral health services to 2,026 people


More than $1.3 million in free dental care was provided with the help of many CDA Cares partners. (
DTI/Photo courtesy of California Dental Association Foundation)
Dental Tribune USA

Dental Tribune USA

Wed. 29 August 2012

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA: The California Dental Association Foundation’s free dental clinic, CDA Cares, provided more than $1.3 million in charitable dental services during a two-day event held Aug. 24-25 in Sacramento. The California Dental Association Foundation and the California Dental Association hosted the clinic to provide oral health services and education to Californians who experience barriers to care.

Presenting sponsors Benco Dental and Carestream Dental, as well as premier sponsors Patterson Dental, Straine Dental Consulting and Capital Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, with many other supporters, provided supplies and materials to help put together a successful event.

“The support we received from our partners has been outstanding. Having their backing is vital to the success of these events, and we truly appreciate it,” said Don Rollofson, DMD, chair of the CDA Foundation. “It shows how dedicated the dental community is to helping people in need of oral health care.”

More than 1,300 volunteers donated their time and services at the event, including more than 600 health professionals — dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, nurses and lab technicians — as well as hundreds of community volunteers who assisted with registration, translation, data entry and escorting patients.

As the final number of procedures provided at CDA Cares is being tallied, preliminary estimates indicate more than 2,000 tooth extractions were necessary.

“The demand for dental care was tremendous and we are thrilled that CDA Cares was able to provide essential oral health care services to 2,026 people,” said CDA President Dan Davidson, DMD. “I’m saddened by the high number of extractions – many that could have been avoided with preventive care, which reinforces our belief that California needs a state dental director and an appropriate safety net of public oral health programs to improve the oral health of underserved Californians. This is a two-day charity event and should not be mistaken for a delivery system of care – in no way can it replace the state’s responsibility for addressing the need.”

During CDA Cares, dentists and dental professionals provided cleanings, fillings, extractions, oral health education, and assistance in finding a dental home. Volunteer technicians in the clinic’s dental lab area worked to provide 201 full and partial dentures.

“In addition to receiving dental services, patients gained a better understanding of basic preventive care and how important it is to maintain their oral health,” said Rollofson, adding that each patient also received an oral health kit that included a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and community resources. “The CDA Foundation aims to improve the oral health of Californians, and at CDA Cares Sacramento we had the privilege of giving back smiles, confidence and dignity that impacts many lives.”

The CDA Foundation thanks CDA Cares’ presenting and premier sponsors, and all event supporters that contributed to the success of CDA Cares. A full list of supporters is available at cdafoundation.org/cdacares.

The California Dental Association Foundation is planning another CDA Cares event in the Bay Area in early 2013. Visit cdafoundation.org for information on CDA Cares and how to register to volunteer.

(Source: California Dental Association Foundation)

 

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