After a two-month delay resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, 11 individuals had their smiles restored safely at a small, volunteer-run event held Sept. 26 at the Children’s Dental Health Clinic in Long Beach. The CDA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the California Dental Association, organized the event.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many of the events and programs that bring needed care to underserved communities in California. Today, the CDA Foundation made the difficult decision to postpone its next CDA Cares volunteer dental clinic due to current state and federal public health guidance related to COVID-19. 

Thousands of patients and volunteers flocked to the National Orange Show Events Center at the CDA Foundation’s 16th CDA Cares volunteer dental clinic to receive and provide dental care at no cost. Dentists and dental professionals performed 10,412 procedures, including fillings, extractions and cleanings, providing $1.46 million in care to 1,626 people. The event took place Sept. 27-28 in San Bernardino for the first time.

The CDA Foundation is gearing up for its 16^th CDA Cares volunteer dental event with new and continued support from community members and key sponsors. The clinic will take place Sept. 27-28 at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif. About 1,950 people are expected to receive oral health care services at no cost, thanks to the support of generous sponsors including Delta Dental, Western Dental, Henry Schein, Planmeca, GES, The Dentists Insurance Company and The Dentists Supply Company.

Catherine’s dental phobia was once so severe that dental advertisements or even passing a dental office could trigger a panic attack. Worse, her debilitating phobia kept her from seeing a dentist for over 10 years. Eventually, she developed a life-threatening oral infection and lived with it for over a year and a half. “I was in pain, but I was too scared to receive care,” said Catherine, a resident of Bakersfield, Calif.