Student Membership

• Get involved at the local level with your dental society membership.
• Network with your peers in the official CDA Students Group on Facebook.
• Share great moments on Twitter and Instagram by posting with #cdaproud.
• Meet mentors and learn professional skills through volunteer leadership.

• Experience CDA Presents, the nation’s most brilliant dental convention.
• Join in free Student Networking Events in Anaheim and San Francisco.
• Take part in special CDA mixers and programs during the school year.
• Volunteer at CDA Cares and help us deliver health and hope others in need.

• Contact Practice Support analysts for transition and employment guidance.
• Manage student loan debt over time by refinancing through CommonBond.
• Save on professional liability coverage with The Dentists Insurance Company.
• Get big discounts when you shop online with The Dentists Supply Company.

As a graduating senior, you can update your membership information or complete the membership application online. After licensure, you will become a member of the ADA, CDA and the local dental society closest to your school. When you establish a permanent address, contact your local dental society or update your profile online. 

You will remain a part of the dental society local to your school until you graduate. Then your local dental society will be determined by your primary practice address. If you do not have a practice address, the transfer will be determined by your home address.

Find your local dental society.

Absolutely. Once you return to California and start practicing, you can update your membership with your new information.

Yes. Contact CDA directly to transition to postgraduate membership.

Your first year of free CDA membership will start when you finish the program.

No. You will transition automatically to a tripartite (ADA, CDA and your local dental society) member when you graduate.

Yes. As soon as you begin to practice, you will need to contact CDA or your local dental society with your new address. If that new address is outside your dental school component's territory, your membership may be transferred to the society local to the address of your associateship.

Our helpful member service representatives are here for you. Call CDA at 800.232.7645 to speak directly to a representative about your membership application or to obtain your ADA number. You can also update your membership information online.

• The component for USC is the Los Angeles Dental Society.
• The component for UCLA is the Western Los Angeles Dental Society.
• The component for Loma Linda and WesternU is the Tri-County Dental Society.
• The component for UCSF and UOP is the San Francisco Dental Society.