About Cambra Coalition
The organization’s purpose is to educate dental professionals on the prevention and, more importantly, management of caries, the disease that causes cavities. In 2002, a group of educators from dental schools located on the west coast began to meet annually for the sole purpose of discussing how this topic was being taught to students in their respective schools. Because CAMBRA (Caries Management By Risk Assessment) represents a medical model approach to disease management, rather than the traditional “drill and fill” treatment, the practice was met with some resistance from part-time adjunct clinical faculty who maintained their own private practice outside of the dental school. It became clear early on that efforts would have to be expanded to not only teach this new practice philosophy to the new generation of graduating dentists, but also to their practicing colleagues.
In addition to the western group, CAMBRA coalitions exist in the central and eastern parts of the United States, each with their own unique focus.
- Western CAMBRA is focused on creating awareness and buy-in among practicing dentists and their staff
- Central CAMBRA is focused on the development of a standardized cariology curriculum for all US dental schools
- Eastern CAMBRA is focused on the inclusion of CAMBRA principles in the licensure process
Significant work that came from members of the coalition includes the publication of 6 issues of the Journal of the California Dental Association (February and March, 2003, October and November, 2007 and October and November, 2011). Attendance at the annual meeting has grown to include representatives of dental hygiene and dental assisting programs, as well as public and private payer groups.
At the 2013 annual meeting, it was decided by the group to create a national umbrella organization, incorporate and seek non-profit tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) (granted in May, 2014).
