CDA Membership FAQ

Dentists and dental students  are eligible membership through CDA. General membership is also available to dental hygienist, laboratory technician, assistants and business administration members of the dental team, as well as to dentists practicing outside of California.

By joining, California dentists automatically enjoy membership and services to three dental organizations: their local dental society, CDA and the ADA. This tripartite structure provides support at the local, state and national levels.

Apply online with one easy application and your license or ADA number.

The CDA membership year runs from January 1 to December 31.

Membership renewal begins in the month of December for each calendar year that follows. Invoices are available under My Account on cda.org before dues are due on January 1. If you’re a current member who has signed up for autopay monthly payment, your membership will automatically renew each year. To make your membership payment in full or switch to autopay, log in to cda.org, select My Account and follow the prompts to Pay Dues.

Contact CDA at 800.232.7645 for assistance reinstating your membership and restoring access to your benefits.

Yes! If you already paid annual dues, your tripartite membership will transfer to California. Contact CDA and update your contact information on cda.org. If you moved to California and have not yet paid dues this year, visit cda.org and complete an online application.

An active or retired member dentist who is in good standing for at least 30 consecutive years (or a total of 40 years if there was a break in membership) and who has reached 65 years of age or older the previous calendar year is eligible for life membership. Member dentists who attain the requirements for life membership qualify for discounted dues. Contact CDA for dues owed as life member.

CDA members who retire from the practice of dentistry and who do not earn income from performing any dental-related activity become eligible for retired membership the year following retirement. Members are required to submit an affidavit of retirement to CDA.

As an active or life active CDA member dentist, you have a convenient option to autopay dues. With autopay, equal monthly payments are automatically deducted from your chosen checking or savings account on the fifteenth of the month until paid in full. Your membership will automatically renew each year with your first payment deducted in January.

It’s easy to sign up for autopay online. Log in to cda.org, select My Account and then select Pay Dues. Then, choose Monthly Payments (Bank Account). You’ll then receive an email confirmation and schedule that details your monthly payment schedule.

The autopay option has an annual service charge of $12, which will be equally divided among the months of the year. If a deduction is declined due to insufficient funds, closed account or stopped payment, a $25 fee will be charged.

To change the checking or savings account for your monthly payments, log in to cda.org, select on My Account, select Update Autopay Account and follow the prompts. You can change your bank account or cancel your autopay participation at any time.