The CDA Foundation Wellness Program reintroduces the Dr. Gale Kloeffler Award honoring California dentists who demonstrate exceptional volunteer service and dedication to the well-being of dental professionals.
Dr. Kloeffler, who founded California’s first well-being program for dentists in 1982, compassionately helped his peers navigate substance use disorders, mental health issues and personal hardships. The annual award named in Kloeffler’s memory recognizes individuals who demonstrate a profound dedication to the principles of care that served as pillars of Kloeffler’s work: empathy and professional integrity through volunteerism and advocacy.
The Foundation honored 18 dentists with the award between 1995 and 2016 and is reintroducing it as a Wellness Program initiative in 2026.
Who is eligible for the award and who can nominate
Nominees are eligible for the award if they either (1) hold a California dental license, whether they are active or retired or (2) are an active member of a regional wellness committee in California. All nominees must contribute to the CDA Foundation Wellness Program through actions that include, but are not limited to:
- Initiating or sustaining local wellness efforts.
- Participating in peer support or intervention activities.
- Implementing educational programs.
- Fostering a supportive dental community through leadership and service.
Nominators must be a CDA member, CDA Foundation Wellness Committee member or an executive director of a local dental society in California.
Online nominations are open April 1-May 31 for the 2026 Dr. Gale Kloeffler Award. Read before submitting a nomination.
More about Gale Kloeffler and the Foundation’s Wellness Program
Kloeffler’s early years of dentistry focused on treating children with cleft palates. He pioneered a technique for making a prosthesis immediately upon a child’s birth, allowing the infant to nurse instead of having to use other means of feeding.
He also ran a successful private practice and thrived in academia at UCLA School of Dentistry’s Maxillofacial Prosthodontics department.
The CDA Foundation Wellness Program supports California dental professionals who are battling physical and/or mental ailments, including substance use disorder, anxiety, depression and burnout. The program advocates for the overall well-being of dental community members and their families with confidential peer-to-peer support and hands-on treatment and recovery assistance. Dental professionals can visit the program website for FAQ, resources and phone numbers for confidential 24/7 support.
Other Foundation grants and awards supporting dental professionals
As the philanthropic arm of the California Dental Association, the CDA Foundation works to improve the oral and overall health of all Californians by supporting the dental profession’s efforts to meet community needs. One of the ways it does this is through annual grants and awards. In addition to the Dr. Gale Kloeffler Award, the Foundation offers:
Awards:
- Arthur A. Dugoni Award (Jan. 1-April 17)
- Humanitarian Award (April 1-May 31)
- Public Health Leadership Award (April 1-May 31)
Grants:
- Dental School Wellness Grant (open until all funds are awarded)
- Webb Family Grant (April 1-May 31)
- Dental Materials & Supplies Grant (paused in 2026)
Learn more about all Foundation grants and awards and how to apply.