Student Members
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 simultaneously become a member of the ADA and your local dental society. Through this tripartite membership, discover unique resources for each stage of your new profession, starting with support during school and transition into practice life.
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
Access exclusive career resources for new dentists, discounts on dental supplies and liability coverage and get one-on-one expert guidance for the business side of practice.
Get Involved
Three Ways to Get Involved and Stay Connected
Create an account on cda.org, find your local dental society and explore member-only resources.
Follow CDA on Instagram, tag @cdadentists and your local society or collab with us!
Share your favorite dental school moments with #cdaproud and #CAdentalstudents.
Your Local Dental Society
Network, get involved in events and benefit from support near you. Visit your local dental society’s website to learn more.
- 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.
- CNSU students are part of the Sacramento District Dental Society.
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.
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 News
Dentists can use CDA’s new Practice Health Check to prepare for future practice transitions
Preparation and planning for future transitions is the focus of CDA’s third-quarter Practice Health Check.
July 30, 2024 Practice Transitions
Alternative pathways in dentistry: CDA Journal discusses careers outside of traditional private practice
“Private practices have been effectively taking care of the oral health needs of a large portion of the population,” writes...
May 8, 2024 Students
Herman Ostrow student hoping to pave the way for Thai dental students
Each month, CDA spotlights a student from one of California’s seven dental schools. Herman Ostrow’s Sandy Priyawat shares how she’s hoping to pave the way for more Thai students to…
April 8, 2024 Students