The CDA Foundation’s board of directors plays a vital role in fulfilling our mission to support dental professionals, reduce barriers to care and improve Californians’ oral health through volunteerism and funding. Get to know James Sanderson, DDS, a member of the board.
Organized dentistry sets the stage for volunteerism
Sanderson is a long-standing member and proponent of organized dentistry. He has been a member of the Napa-Solano Dental Society, CDA and ADA since 1986 and has held numerous leadership roles at both the local and state levels over the past 40 years. This involvement helped set the stage for his work with the CDA Foundation.
A passion for philanthropy and a heart for service
Sanderson has a deep commitment to helping others. He is a long-time volunteer with the Foundation, serving as chair for the CDA Cares Solano events in 2014 and 2019, and has given his time at all but one CDA Cares clinic.
When asked to share a memorable moment as a volunteer, he recalled, “As a volunteer at the legacy cares event, I tried to watch the patients’ reactions when they got their dentures. I will never forget the pure joy of seeing a patient see her new teeth in a hand mirror for the first time.”
In addition to his service through the Foundation, Sanderson has also donated his time, talents and resources to local nonprofits and programs in his home community of Solano County. He has served as a volunteer classroom dental teacher and provided no-cost dental care for migrant children and treatment for children entering the foster care system through the County Courts.
Encouraging peer involvement
When asked what he would tell others wondering about getting involved with the CDA Foundation, Sanderson replied, “Access to dental care is one of the biggest issues in dentistry and California public health. CDA and the Foundation continue to educate the state legislature on the need for better funding for the uninsured population. CDA can be directly credited for achieving a state dental director for California, assisting with increasing care through federally qualified health centers and the dental schools. California needs more dental providers for this underserved population.”