Volunteer Dentists and Specialists in Encinitas Encouraged to Donate Time and Services

The California Dental Association Foundation is seeking community volunteers and health professionals for its CDA Cares program that allows volunteer dentists, with the assistance of other dental professionals, to provide services at no charge to more than 2,000 patients who experience barriers to care. Since 2012, with the help of 4,559 volunteers, CDA Cares has provided $4.4 million in care to 5,878 patients. This effort is bolstered by the recent approval of a $25,000 Neighborhood Reinvestment Program Grant, unanimously approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, to support CDA Cares. 
 

Volunteers needed include dentists, specialists — including oral surgeons — hygienists, assistants, dental lab technicians, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, translators, and other members of the community willing to donate their time.

In addition to providing dental services, volunteers are needed to escort patients, interpret, dispense medication, set up and tear down the clinic, register patients, conduct exit interviews, enter data, provide oral health education and more. 

CDA Cares educates the public and policymakers about the importance of good oral health and the need for an adequately funded dental safety net, including programs to improve the oral health of Californians. Adult Denti-Cal benefits eliminated by the state in 2009 will be partially restored in 2014, however, the program remains chronically underfunded and leaves many, including the working poor, without access to care.
 

Volunteers are needed:

Friday, Dec. 6, 2013: Setup from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no patients)

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013: Dental clinic from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013: Dental clinic from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 9, 2013: Teardown from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no patients) 
 

Where:    

Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014 

–California Dental Association press release