Policy Resources

As the expert on oral health and the voice of dentists, CDA anticipates and responds to the top issues facing the dental profession, advocating for opioid reduction, Medi-Cal Dental Program reform, licensure and third party payment concerns.

Key Policy Priorities

The California dental benefits marketplace is shifting rapidly as a consequence of broad market forces, as well as the implications of national health care reform. CDA continually scans the health care environment to better understand the issues impacting consumers and our members, to help dentists navigate in a changing environment, and to help sustain the financing and delivery systems in which dentists can most effectively provide quality oral health care to their patients.

Sponsored Legislation

CDA has a dedicated team of professionals whose purpose is to advocate for the profession. Part of that team’s responsibility is to sponsor legislation at the Capitol that addresses important issues related to dental benefits.

See a list of CDA-sponsored dental benefits legislation.

Dental Benefits Issue Submission

In 2019, CDA revised the process for collecting dental benefit challenges our members are experiencing in their practices. Through this quick, easy and secure process, CDA will provide expert assistance to members to address their individual issues, and will collect and utilize the data to evaluate legislative or legal opportunities to further assist our members when dealing with dental plans.

Complete the Dental Benefits Issue Submission Form to start resolving your issue today.

Task Forces

CDA convened task forces in 2012 and 2018 to improve member understanding of the dental benefits market on the following topics: cost, scope of coverage, consumer demand and payment policies of dental benefit plans; current market trends; economic factors affecting dentist participation in plan networks; opportunities to enhance dentists’ leverage in contractual arrangements with dental plans; and, assess and ensure that dental plan coverage and payment policies promote necessary care and optimal treatment of patients. This knowledge further allows CDA to better advocate for policies that will enhance the position of dentists and their patients.

Opioid Policy (pdf)

CURES and Opioid Pain Management

CDA Journal March 2019: Opioids – Trying to Navigate the ‘Perfect Storm’

CDA Journal November 2015: Pain Control and Prevention

CDA has a long history of supporting community water fluoridation and remains committed to increasing the number of Californians who enjoy the oral health benefits of fluoridation.

To find out if a community water supply is fluoridated, call the phone number on the property water bill. Below are some helpful resources on this topic:

CDA supports the use of dental sealants for everyone at risk of developing caries, and promotes the ADA’s 2008 sealant guidelines and evidence-based recommendations for the use of pit and fissure sealants.

CDA Sealant Fact Sheets
English | Spanish

CDA Patient Sealant Flyers 
English | Spanish | Hmong | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese

Additional resources:

Dental amalgam has been the subject of attention by regulators because it contains elemental mercury. The mercury in amalgam, however, is contained within a very stable, durable alloy with other metals, so it is not available for release into the body or the environment in any significant amounts. Current scientific research and major national and international health organizations support the use of dental amalgam as a safe and effective restorative material for dental patients.

For more information about amalgam safety and dental office waste management, check out these website links: