What California Dental Association does

The California Dental Association (CDA) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1870 and headquartered at 1201 K Street in Sacramento, California. It is the largest state dental association in the American Dental Association (ADA) system, representing approximately 27,000 dentist members — roughly 72% of all California dentists and 1-in-6 members of organized dentistry in the United States. CDA operates a tripartite membership model that links 32 local component dental societies, the state CDA, and the national ADA into a single dues structure, and its members include practicing dentists, dental students at all seven California dental schools, dental team professionals (assistants, hygienists, lab technicians), and out-of-state dentists maintaining organized dentistry ties.

CDA's service portfolio spans advocacy, education, insurance, supplies, and community health. Education is delivered through CDA Presents (an annual Anaheim convention with 200+ courses, 130+ speakers, and 450+ exhibitors), the ADA CERP-recognized online learning platform at dentistrylearns.com, the peer-reviewed CDA Journal published via Taylor & Francis, Now + Next regional events, and the Dental Team Summit. Practice support is provided by expert analysts covering dental benefit plans, employment practices, regulatory compliance, and practice management. The organization's wholly-owned operating subsidiaries include The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) and TDIC Insurance Solutions for professional liability and risk management, TDSC.com for dental supplies e-commerce with member VIP pricing, Rotunda Partners for endorsed services, and the CDA Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) which runs CDA Cares Connects volunteer clinics, the Dental Student Food Insecurity Program, and grant-funded community health initiatives.

CDA's revenue model is diversified across five streams: (1) recurring annual or monthly membership dues with autopay; (2) CDA Presents convention revenue from exhibitor booth sales (e.g., $6,150 for 10'x10' inline, $6,700 for corner, $74/sq.ft. for island space), sponsorships, and attendee registration; (3) affiliate/referral royalties from endorsed vendor partnerships and TDSC.com supply sales; (4) advertising and sponsorship across the CDA Journal, website, events, and mobile app; and (5) TDIC insurance premiums, with a $50 first-year professional liability rate for new California dentists as a customer acquisition hook. Distribution is hybrid: self-serve online for membership, inside sales via the 800.232.7645 member services line, field/enterprise sales for convention and insurance, and a 32-society channel/reseller network for grassroots engagement.

Name

California Dental Association

Legal name

California Dental Association

Website

https://cda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The California Dental Association (CDA), founded in 1870 and headquartered in Sacramento, is the largest U.S. state dental association, serving approximately 27,000 dentist members (72% of California dentists) through advocacy, continuing education, practice support, insurance (TDIC), dental supplies (TDSC.com), and community health programs via a tripartite local-state-national structure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues with options for monthly autopay or annual payment. Dues must be paid for the full 12-month term. Includes life membership and retired membership categories with discounted rates for qualifying members (30+ consecutive years or 35 total years in good standing, age 65+).
2. CDA Presents Convention: Annual flagship convention generates revenue through exhibitor booth sales (10'x10' inline booths at $6,150, corner booths at $6,700, island space at $74/sq.ft., turnkey kiosks at $3,500), sponsorship packages, attendee registration fees, and special event tickets (Disneyland, CDA Community Social).
3. Endorsed Services and Supplies: CDA endorses vetted vendors for services (employment practices, dental benefit plans, practice management) and dental supplies (TDSC.com), generating royalty revenue through partnerships. VIP savings on dental supplies for members.
4. Advertising and Sponsorship: CDA sells advertising space in the CDA Journal (8 out of 10 dentists source the Journal), website placements, event sponsorships, mobile app options, tote bag inserts, and booth sponsorships at CDA Presents.
5. TDIC Insurance Products: The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) offers professional liability coverage, malpractice insurance, and risk management solutions. First-year TDIC Professional Liability coverage rates are $50 for new California dentists licensed within last twelve months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The California Dental Association is a nonprofit professional membership association that sells annual memberships to California dentists and dental students, bundling legislative advocacy, continuing education, practice support guidance, and access to affiliated insurance and supply products. CDA also operates the CDA Presents annual convention, the peer-reviewed CDA Journal, an online learning platform, the CDA Foundation charitable programs, and supports wholly-owned subsidiaries TDIC (professional liability insurance), TDIC Insurance Solutions, and TDSC.com (dental supplies e-commerce).

Product overview

California Dental Association operates as a membership-based professional organization offering a unified portfolio of member services rather than a single software product. The core offering is CDA Membership, which provides advocacy, education, practice support, and access to insurance products through affiliated brands including The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC), TDIC Insurance Solutions, and TDSC.com Dental Supplies. Related offerings include the CDA Foundation (charitable arm), CDA Presents (annual convention), the CDA Journal (peer-reviewed publication), and educational programs including On-demand Learning, Dental Team Summit, and Now + Next Events. Practice support services include expert guidance, Career Center job listings, and Endorsed Services vendor partnerships. Community programs include CDA Cares Connects volunteer clinics and the Wellness Program for dentist support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CDA Presents: Annual dental convention featuring education, exhibitors, and networking for dental professionals
• CDA Journal
• CDA Foundation
• The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC)
• TDIC Insurance Solutions
• TDSC.com
• Now + Next Events
• Dental Team Summit
• Smile Crew CA

Products and services

• CDA Membership Core annual membership for licensed California dentists providing advocacy, continuing education, practice support, insurance access, and networking through the tripartite structure of local dental society, CDA, and ADA. Available as monthly autopay or annual payment.
• The Dentists Insurance Company (TDIC) Professional Liability Insurance
• TDIC Insurance Solutions
• TDSC.com Dental Supplies Online dental supplies e-commerce platform offering equipment, materials, and consumables with VIP member pricing and savings.
• CDA Presents Annual Convention Annual dental convention held in Anaheim featuring 200+ continuing education courses, 130+ speakers, and 450+ exhibitors for C.E., networking, and product discovery.
• CDA Journal Peer-reviewed, open-access clinical publication of the California Dental Association distributed via Taylor & Francis, offering scientific reviews, original research, and case reports with integrated C.E. quizzes earning 0.5 C.E. units.
• On-demand C.E. Learning 24/7 on-demand continuing education course catalog delivered through dentistrylearns.com with C.E. tracking, transcript access, and required California licensure courses including Infection Control, Opioid Prescribing, and Dental Practice Act.
• Now + Next Regional Events Local networking and skill-building events for early career dentists across California featuring peer connections, mentor relationships, and career development workshops; free for CDA members and $20 for non-members, includes 2 C.E. credits.
• Dental Team Summit Half-day interactive event for dental teams featuring practice management, team-building, and productivity sessions with C.E. eligible courses held during CDA Presents.
• CDA Career Center Dentistry-focused job board with practice sales, employment listings, resume reviews, job alerts, and interview tips connecting candidates and dental practices across California.
• CDA Practice Support Expert guidance from specialized analysts on dental benefit plans, employment practices, practice management, regulatory compliance, and business operations for California dental practices.
• CDA Endorsed Services Vetted vendor partnership program offering member discounts on services including practice management tools, financial services, employment practices, dental benefit plans, and operational solutions.
• CDA Cares Connects Volunteer Program Volunteer dental care program providing no-charge oral health services to California's vulnerable populations through community clinics and events staffed by volunteer dentists.
• CDA Wellness Program Confidential support program for dentists addressing substance use disorders, mental health issues, and burnout through peer-to-peer assistance operated by the CDA Foundation.
• Smile Crew CA Dental Assistant Training Dental assisting training program operating under the Smile Crew CA brand to address dental workforce shortages and provide career pathway support in California.
• CDA Foundation 501(c)(3) charitable foundation (Tax ID 68-0411536) advancing oral health through grants, awards, the CDA Cares volunteer clinics, wellness programs, and the Dental Student Food Insecurity Program at California's 7 dental schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% active membership retention rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered event sponsor, core program partner, grant partner, publishing partner, event partner, event services, transportation partner, convention sponsor, education partner and core channel partner.

• MetLifeevent sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetLife sponsors Now + Next in Dentistry events, providing support for early career dentist networking and professional development programs across California.
• DEXISevent sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerDEXIS sponsors Now + Next in Dentistry events as part of their marketing partnership with CDA to reach early career dentist audiences.
• California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA)core program partnerOthersCDA Foundation serves as advisory consultant for CHFFA's $50 million Specialty Dental Clinic Grant Program to build network of new specialty dental clinics for patients with special needs. The program awards up to $5 million per entity with 50% special needs patient requirements for 10 years.
• California Department of Public Health's Office of Oral Healthgrant partnerOthersCDA Foundation entered into grant agreement to provide trainings and materials educating dentists and public on COVID-19 vaccine administration and efficacy. Includes webinars, resource development, and course offerings.
• Taylor & Francispublishing partnerTechnology or IntegrationTaylor & Francis serves as digital publisher for the CDA Journal (Journal of the California Dental Association), an open-access peer-reviewed clinical publication. They provide international scholarly publishing platform and distribution.
• Southwest Airlinesevent partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthwest Airlines provides exclusive discount pricing on flights for CDA Presents attendees traveling to Anaheim (LAX, SNA, LGB, ONT, BUR) for convention dates May 8-19, 2026.
• Experientevent servicesTechnology or IntegrationExperient provides event registration platform for CDA Presents convention, managing attendee registration, hotel bookings, and exhibitor booth assignments.
• Karmel Shuttletransportation partnerOthersKarmel Shuttle offers discount pricing on shuttles to/from hotels and select airports for CDA Presents attendees, with contact at 714.670.3480.
• Kushner & Associatestransportation partnerOthersProvides complimentary convention center shuttles from designated hotels for CDA Presents attendees. Contact: 818.573.8346.
• Ultradentconvention sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerUltradent sponsors CDA Presents convention with exhibitor booth presence showcasing dental products and services.
• Henry Scheinconvention sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerHenry Schein sponsors CDA Presents convention as leading dental equipment and supplies distributor with exhibitor presence.
• Glidewellconvention sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlidewell dental laboratories sponsor CDA Presents convention with exhibitor booth and product demonstrations.
• Colgateconvention sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerColgate sponsors CDA Presents convention as oral care brand with exhibitor presence.
• Spear Educationeducation partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerSpear Education partnership provides CDA members 20% discount on Spear Online Practice Membership ($500-$1,000 savings), clinical C.E., patient education, team training, and diagnostic tools. Code CDAPARTNER20 unlocks member savings.
• CareCreditconvention sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCareCredit healthcare financing sponsors CDA Presents convention, enabling patient payment plan options through their financing services.
• Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicineeducation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesternU collaborated with CDA on developing the Opioid Prescribing course for dentists, meeting pain management and addiction training requirements. Also developed through WesternU Online, the online education division.
• 32 Local Dental Societiescore channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCDA's component societies including San Francisco Dental Society, Los Angeles Dental Society, San Diego County Dental Society, Sacramento District Dental Society, and 28 others provide grassroots membership services, local C.E. programming, and regional advocacy coordination.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Massachusetts Dental Society: Northeast state dental society providing advocacy, education, and member services with a comparable tripartite relationship to ADA.
• Texas Dental Association: Large state dental association with comparable tripartite structure, advocacy, CE programming, and member services. Often cited alongside CDA as one of the two largest state dental associations in the U.S.
• New York State Dental Association: State dental association representing New York dentists with a similar tripartite linkage to ADA. Comparable in member services, advocacy, and CE offerings.
• Illinois State Dental Society: Mid-to-large state dental society offering membership, CE, advocacy, and practice support comparable to CDA's core offerings in a different state geography.
• Florida Dental Association: State-level dental association serving a large dentist population with advocacy, continuing education, and member benefits. Comparable membership scale and service mix to CDA.
• Pennsylvania Dental Association: State dental association with tripartite ADA structure, continuing education, advocacy, and member publications. Comparable in structure and service portfolio to CDA.
• Ohio Dental Association: State dental association offering membership, CE, advocacy, and practice support. Comparable in mission and operating model to CDA though smaller in member scale.

Broad incumbents

• American Dental Association: The national umbrella professional association of which CDA is a tripartite member. ADA operates membership, advocacy, CE, and publications at the national level, and serves as the structural peer for evaluating CDA's scale, services, and revenue model.

Emerging players

• Academy of General Dentistry: National professional association for general dentists offering CE, fellowship credentials, and member benefits. Overlaps with CDA on CE and member services but is membership-credential focused rather than a state-level tripartite association.

Regional players

• California Medical Association: California's statewide professional association for physicians, with a similar advocacy, CE, and member-benefit model serving a large in-state professional membership base. Comparable as a large California-based association but in a different healthcare profession.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cdafan
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdadentists
• Xx.com/CDA_Dentists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-dental-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Dental Association