Free dental care Friday, Saturday at Cal Expo

A range of free dental services will be available Friday and Saturday at Cal Expo’s Building D.

Volunteering dentists and assistants will be ready when doors open at 5:30 a.m. each day at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.

An estimated 2,000 are expected to obtain free dental and oral health care services on a first-come, first-served basis during the two days of CDA Cares. Volunteers will transform Cal Expo’s Building D with rows of dental chairs, oral care equipment and special lighting.

The services offered include extractions, fillings, cleanings, some partials to replace front teeth, limited root canals, limited dentures, oral health education and help in finding dental care.

Uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes may prevent patients from receiving dental care at the event. Officials request that patients take prescribed medications as directed.

Parking is free for the event that is sponsored by the California Dental Association Foundation and the California Dental Association. Interpreters are available for those who do not speak English.

For more information, visit cdafoundation.org/cda-cares/sacramento or call (877) 516-8854.

Adult Denti-Cal benefits, eliminated by the state in 2009, were partially restored in May. However, the program is underfunded and leaves many, including the working poor, without access to care, according to the CDA.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 10:08 AM with the headline "Free dental care Friday, Saturday at Cal Expo."