With a spirit of volunteerism and enthusiasm for oral health recognized on both sides of the globe, Edgardo de la Vega, DDS, embodies the role of a humanitarian. The CDA Foundation is proud to announce Dr. de la Vega as the recipient of its 2025 Humanitarian Award, honoring the decades he has spent improving the health and quality of life of underserved communities in the Philippines.
De la Vega began his pursuit of a dental career as a student at University of the Philippines in Manila. After graduation, he left his home country for additional training and education, completing a general dentistry post-graduate program in Montreal’s McGill University Hospitals in 1968, then receiving a Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Southern California in 1971.
Until his retirement, De la Vega balanced his practice in San Fernando Valley’s Canoga Park with medical missions in the Philippines. Today, he continues to lead humanitarian efforts that improve the oral health care of rural Philippine communities.
A dedication to volunteerism
In 1975, De la Vega travelled to the Philippines at his own expense on the first of what would become many trips to spearhead dental outreach missions in the country. Since then, he has coordinated quarterly missions to the Philippines, where he and other medical professionals donate their time, talents and resources to provide treatment for residents of communities facing barriers to care. He eventually organized a core of local volunteer dentists to help provide these services.
Over the years, De la Vega acquired portable dental equipment that expanded the treatment he and his teams could offer patients in the Philippines. Moving beyond basic extractions, they were able to measurably improve their patients’ quality of life by restoring decayed teeth, performing root canals and even providing dentures.
Pediatric patients in these underserved areas were a special focus of De la Vega’s teams, which provided fluoride treatments, pulpotomies, composite restorations and stainless-steel crowns. Patient education was prioritized, with correct toothbrushing techniques demonstrated after distributing free toothbrushes and toothpaste.
A lasting impact on communities and colleagues
In 2015, De la Vega formalized the critical work he was doing in the Philippines by founding Dentistry for Every Village, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to dental care for rural villages throughout the country. The organization builds and donates fully equipped dental offices to local health care facilities, which then provide low-cost or no-cost dental care to residents.
Thanks to De la Vega’s dental missions and the newly built clinics, underserved Philippine communities now have greater access to free dental care, said Maria Delia Saquido-Picardal, DDM, president of the Las Pinas Dental Chapter of the Philippine Dental Association. She speaks glowingly of De la Vega’s leadership, noting that his offer of continuing education to local dental societies also contributed to improved access to care.
“His contribution in dentistry is unparalleled, [and] his extraordinary humanitarian services and volunteerism have set a high standard for others to follow,” said Dr. Saquido-Picardal.
Victor Rosales, DDS, a colleague, agrees, citing De la Vega’s commitment to helping people in what he refers to as “forgotten” communities. “His work not only provided immediate assistance to those in dire need but also laid the groundwork for long-term positive impact in their communities.”
Dr. Rosales said De la Vega wants “his legacy to be an inspiration to young dentists … and a reminder that no matter one’s personal motivation, the needs of those less fortunate should be a focus.” He also hopes his colleagues will share their skills as De la Vega did.
About the CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award
Established in 2008, the CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes California dentists who have distinguished themselves through a lifetime of outstanding, unselfish leadership and contributions to fellow human beings in the field of dentistry. This award honors the late Dr. Andrew Soderstrom, CDA past president and co-founder of the Foundation’s CDA Cares program.
The Foundation will accept applications for the 2026 Humanitarian Award from April 1 through May 31, 2026. Learn more about the award and see a list of past recipients. Explore the CDA Foundation’s other grants, awards and programs that support dental professionals and community-based organizations in providing dental care to underserved communities.
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