Join CDA


Progress. It’s what happens when 25,000 dentists work together.

By becoming a member of organized dentistry, you’re ensuring that your voice and the needs of the profession are being represented on every level. You are making the profession stronger. After all, the profession of dentistry should be shaped by those who practice it — people like you.

Renew Your Membership

Join CDA

As the largest and most respected state dental association, joining CDA offers many benefits. First off, for California dentists, when you join CDA, you’re also joining the American Dental Association and your local dental society. So you have representation at the national, state and local level. Additionally, you can:

  • Benefit from Advocacy – as part of organized dentistry, you have a voice in state and local politics. Last year alone CDA: won repeal of the burdensome IRS rule requiring dentists to report on 1099 tax form any transaction over $600, sponsored legislation to end mandates imposed by manufacturers for volume requirement, prohibited insurance companies from imposing fee caps in procedures they don’t cover, and more.
  • Waive the $890 registration fee to CDA Presents, the twice-yearly convention in Anaheim and San Francisco. You can also access 50 FREE units of CE and receive show discounted pricing on dental equipment and supplies.
  • Access cdacompass.com, a website with hundreds of valuable resources to help you better manage the business side of dentistry, free to CDA members. Top resources include the Legal reference guide for California dentists, Regulatory Compliance manual with unlimited phone guidance and downloadable sample employee manual.
  • Apply for TDIC and TDIC insurance solutions, where protecting dentists is all we do and experience generous multipolicy discounts with TDIC Optimum when you bundle your Professional Liability, Building and Business Personal Property and Workers’ Compensation insurance.
  • Plus, there’s peer review, job assistance, Risk Management advice line and much more.

How do I apply?

Now, it’s easier than ever to become a CDA tripartite member. If you are a licensed dentist in California, a full-time faculty member at one of the five California dental schools, or a licensed California dentist serving full-time military duty, you are eligible.

Membership application

Simply fill out the Online Membership Application. Or, find your local dental society and submit your downloadable membership application.

For more information about membership in other categories, including student/graduate student, affiliate, or provisional membership, call 800.232.7645.

How much are dues?

Current annual CDA membership dues are $690, although special rates are available for full-time faculty members, recent graduates, recent licentiates, and federal military/public health professionals. Current annual American Dental Association dues are $512. Each local dental society also charges dues. Please contact your local society for current due and membership information.

Does CDA have a payment plan?

Electronic Dues Payment (EDP) Program: Divide your CDA dues into easy monthly payments. More details can be found here.

Membership for Allied Dental Health Professionals

CDA is proud to be the only California dental professional association dedicated to the entire team! The House of Delegates made history Nov. 11 by approving membership for allied dental health professionals beginning in 2007 and casting a vote for representation of the entire dental team through CDA. Read entire article from the December 2006 Update.

A Brief History

The California Dental Association is the premier membership association for dentists in California today. It was originally founded in 1870 in San Francisco. In 1913 the Southern California State Dental Association was established, and for 60 years organized dentistry in California was divided. In 1973, the two organizations merged to form CDA, headquartered in Sacramento. Because the association was established to provide a way for dentists to identify, express and address their interests and concerns, as dentistry has grown, so, too, has the association. We’re always careful to add programs and services that maintain the reputation and the standards of the dental profession and help dentists succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace. To better respond to the needs of today’s dentists, CDA has established two subsidiary companies. The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) offers outstanding professional liability, office property and employment practices liability insurance plans, as well as risk-management products and services. The exclusive broker of CDA-recommended Insurance Plans, TDIC Insurance Solutions offers an array of personal and professional insurance plans for dentists and their dental office employees.