Welcome to your community
For more than 150 years, CDA has supported and empowered the best and brightest in dentistry. As the largest state association in the ADA with more than 27,000 members, CDA’s continuous growth and innovation has fostered a dynamic community that works together to shape the future of dentistry.
As a California dental student, you are now a part of this community — with full access to membership benefits. When you join CDA, you also become a member of your local dental society. Through membership, discover unique resources for each stage of your new profession, starting with support during school and transition into practice life.
Become a student member
Explore Your Benefits
New Connections
Make memories with your peers, build professional relationships with mentors and learn new skills through hands-on volunteer opportunities.
Amazing Events
Experience the nation’s most brilliant dental convention and enjoy free student networking events, mixers and programs throughout the school year.
Expert Support for D4 Students
Get Involved
Three Ways to Get Involved and Stay Connected
Follow CDA on Instagram, tag @cdadentists and your local society or collab with us!
Your Local Dental Society
Network, get involved in events and benefit from meaningful support – near you and throughout the state as you travel and transition into practice.
Visit the website of the local society associated with your dental school:
- USC students are part of the Los Angeles Dental Society.
- UCLA students are part of the Western Los Angeles Dental Society.
- Loma Linda and WesternU students are part of the Tri-County Dental Society.
- UCSF and UOP students are part of the San Francisco Dental Society.
- UOP Sacramento students are part of the Sacramento District Dental Society.
- CNU students are part of the Sacramento District Dental Society.
Or discover more benefits at the local level:
Your Student Representatives
CDA’s student delegation ensures your voice is heard in organized dentistry. The representative for your California dental school class acts as your liaison to CDA and connects you to helpful resources, key issues and special events.
Interested in leadership opportunities or other ways to get involved? Contact your elected representative.
Loma Linda University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
Western University of Health Sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
As a graduating senior, you can update your membership information or complete the membership application online. After licensure, you will become a member of the ADA, CDA and the local dental society closest to your school. When you establish a permanent address, contact your local dental society or update your profile online.
Absolutely. Once you return to California and start practicing, you can update your membership with your new information.
Yes. Contact CDA directly to transition to postgraduate membership.
You will remain a part of the dental society local to your school until you graduate. Then your local dental society will be determined by your primary practice address. If you do not have a practice address, the transfer will be determined by your home address.
Find your local dental society:
- The component for USC is the Los Angeles Dental Society.
- The component for UCLA is the Western Los Angeles Dental Society.
- The component for Loma Linda and WesternU is the Tri-County Dental Society.
- The component for UCSF and UOP is the San Francisco Dental Society.
- The component for CNSU is the Sacramento District Dental Society
Students attending the Universidad De La Salle in Mexico can apply by creating an account on cda.org.
CDA is here to guide you as you transition into the next phase of your dental career. Our experts have developed a post-graduation checklist with instructions on how to obtain licensure, tips for landing your first job, guidance on getting the proper insurance coverage and much more.
Download the post-graduation checklist for California dental school graduates.
Download the post-graduation checklist for out-of-state dental school graduates.
CDA News
Diverse event lineup for 2026 offers CDA members C.E. and connections in dentistry across the state
Whether you’re seeking to re-ignite your passion for your profession, shape your dental team or expand your clinical skillset, CDA and local dental societies offer an exciting lineup of in-person…
A boost to students’ well-being through new dental school events grant
The CDA Foundation has launched a Wellness Grant to support events at California dental schools. Applications are open, and grants will be awarded on a rolling basis.
CDA obtains clarification on scope, exception process of H-1B visa fee for international dentists
Employers seeking an exemption to the H-1B visa petition application can submit a request to DHS with supporting documentation.