CDA clinic provides $1.6M in dental services

The California Dental Association's (CDA) CDA Cares free dental clinic, held May 18-19 in San Jose, provided more than $1.6 million in charitable dental services, treating some 2,200 patients.

It was the third clinic hosted by the CDA and the CDA Foundation in the past 12 months, the association noted in a press release.

While the final number of procedures provided at CDA Cares is being tallied, preliminary estimates indicate nearly 2,300 tooth extractions were necessary. Many of them could have been avoided with preventive care, according to CDA President Lindsey Robinson, DDS. She attributed many of the oral health issues to the state's elimination of virtually all adult Denti-Cal services under the state's Medicaid program.

Nearly 1,600 volunteers donated their time and services at the event, including more than 800 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.

During the clinic, dentists and dental professionals provided more than 11,000 dental procedures, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, and oral health education. Volunteer technicians in the clinic's dental lab area worked to provide 242 complete and partial dentures.

The CDA Foundation is planning another CDA Cares event in San Diego later this year.