22 August 2022

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CDA applauds budget’s dental funding

Katherine E. Pfaff

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The California Dental Association has lauded a recent passage of the state’s budget that allowed for $10 million in funding for clinical rotations for dental students. The $300 billion state budget for 2022 to 2023 also included $50 million for patients with special needs in healthcare. 

The budget met the goals of the state organization, CDA, according to information from the American Dental Association. Advocates for the budget items included dental schools, groups for providers, and advocates for special needs patients. The $50 million funding allows for creation of a group of dental clinics that specialize in treating patients with cognitive, developmental, or physical disabilities. 

A $10 million funding was also set aside for initiating a network for clinical rotations. The group will bring together dental schools in California. Together the consortia will begin a system to rotate dental students in order to increase access to dental care and a well-prepared dental school graduate.

In addition to the major funding items, the state budget also made monies available on a permanent basis for the CalHealthCares student loan repayment program. Through the program, dentists have received loan repayment funds as a trade for providing dental care services for vulnerable patients across the state of California.