Dental News - CDA Cares dental clinic in Sacramento provides $2 million in free care

Search Dental Tribune

CDA Cares dental clinic in Sacramento provides $2 million in free care

A two-day event conducted by CDA Cares provided dental care to 2,080 people recently. (Photo: CDA)
Dental Tribune USA

Dental Tribune USA

Wed. 1 April 2015

save

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA: A two-day dental clinic in Sacramento provided $2 million in charitable dental services to 2,080 people March 27-28. The event was hosted by the California Dental Association, the CDA Foundation and CDA Cares. “These events have had a tremendous impact across the state,” said CDA President Walt Weber, DDS.

In addition to providing free dental services and oral health education to Californians who experience barriers to care, CDA Cares educates the public and policymakers about the importance of good oral health and the need for an adequately funded dental safety net, which includes a well-functioning Denti-Cal program and a state dental director who can develop cost-effective, quality programs to improve the oral health of Californians.

“Dentists are committed to providing oral health care to Californians in need, but the state must help us,” Weber said. “We can’t do it alone.”

While the final number of procedures provided at CDA Cares is being tallied, preliminary estimates indicate nearly 2,700 tooth extractions were necessary.

“Sadly, the reality is that many of these extractions could be avoided with preventive care. Unfortunately, the state has an unmet responsibility, and what we’re seeing here is exactly why the state needs to take action this year to fix its chronically underfunded Denti-Cal program, which is failing to ensure access to care for millions of Californians,” said Weber, referring to the state’s recent Denti-Cal audit that highlights serious problems and deficiencies.

During the two-day event, dentists and dental professionals provided nearly 14,000 dental procedures, including fillings, extractions, cleanings and oral health education. Volunteer technicians in the clinic’s dental lab area worked to provide 377 complete and partial dentures.

“From setup to breakdown, the entire CDA Cares experience is so rewarding,” said CDA Foundation Chair Don Rollofson, DMD. “People are leaving here with relief from pain and infection, improved opportunities for employment and a better understanding of the importance of maintaining their oral health.”

Nearly 1,800 volunteers donated their time and services at the event, including 1,015 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.

The California Dental Association Foundation is planning another CDA Cares event in Fresno, Oct. 2-3.

More information on CDA Cares and how to register to volunteer for the next event is available online, at cdafoundation.org.

(Source: California Dental Association)

 

To post a reply please login or register
advertisement
advertisement