Wellness Program
What is the Wellness Program?
The Wellness Program is a source of support and assistance for dental professionals who are battling physical and/or mental ailments, including substance use disorder, anxiety, depression and burnout. The program advocates for the overall well-being of dental community members and their families with confidential peer-to-peer support and hands-on treatment and recovery assistance.
In an article from CDA, member and Chair of the Wellness Program, Matthew Korn, DDS, shares his wellness and recovery journey and offers insight on how the program is a valuable benefit for anyone coping with stress, burnout or substance dependence. Additionally, Dr. Brett Kessler, who will become the 161st president of ADA in 2025, shares his journey to sobriety and commitment to the dental profession in this ADA article.
For more information about the Wellness Program or a confidential referral, contact your local dental society or a Wellness Program Regional Chair near you. Find more information in the CDA Foundation Wellness Program Brochure.
Find confidential 24/7 support:
North/Bay Area
Northern California: 530.864.4264
San Francisco Bay Area: 916.947.5676
Central
Central California
Southern
Southern California: 310.487.5040
San Diego: 619.851.4494
Upcoming Trainings
Biennial CDA Foundation Wellness Program Leadership Training
Friday, October 31, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. PDT | CDA building (Sacramento) and Zoom
Audience: CDA and dental society volunteer leaders, CDA members interested in getting more involved in Wellness Program initiatives
More details forthcoming.
Wellness Resources
- ADA Suicide Resource
- ADA Well-Being Index
(must be an ADA member to access) - ADA Wellness Resource
- CHCF Provider Burnout Webinar
- CHCF Healing the Healers Publication
- Calm for Business Resources
- Health Action Alliance Workplace Mental Health Resources
- HHS Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework
- Conflict Management Resources (CDA member login required)
- Workplace Violence Prevention (CDA member login required)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to text confidentially with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7.
- International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous (IDAA)
- Local County Mental Health 24-Hour Crisis Intervention Numbers
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California Find help through your local NAMI and its network of affiliates across California. They provide free resources to help you navigate your unique situation. Use the linked search form to find a volunteer-run affiliate near you. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (916) 567-0163
- National Hotlines
- Resources for Mutual Help
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)
- Workplace Event Resources (CDA member login required)
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s an illness or disease characterized by addiction to a mood-altering chemical, including both drug addiction and alcoholism. The dependent person is unable to stop drinking or taking a particular drug despite serious consequences. If left untreated, it is progressive and chronic. Sadly, it can also ruin the lives, careers and the health of dental professionals as well as compromise patients’ safety.
Warning signs include, but are not limited to:
- Frequently lateness or absenteeism from work
- Difficulty meeting scheduled appointments or deadlines
- Impaired motor coordination
- Prescribing large doses of controlled substances
- Frequent and prolonged bathroom breaks; periods of isolation
- Obvious physical changes; lack of attention to hygiene or appearance
- Dramatic mood swings
- Unexplained family and/or financial difficulties
- Decline in quality of care; exercising poor judgments
- Slurred speech
- Central California: Matthew Korn, DDS | 916.947.5676
- Northern California: Donald (Don) Fowkes, DDS | 530.864.4264
- San Diego: Dr. Rick Hagstrom | 619.851.4494
- San Francisco/Bay Area: Matthew Korn, DDS | 916.947.5676
- Southern California: Steven Goldy, DDS | 310.487.5040
Yes, unless you advise the committee otherwise.
An investigation will take place to determine the validity of the claim. If accurate, an intervention will be facilitated and, if necessary, the individual will be referred to a professional evaluation team for a treatment recommendation. A contract will then be drawn between the individual and the Wellness Program committee.
As long as an individual complies with the recommended treatment/monitoring and there are no issues regarding patient safety, the Board will not be notified.
Available treatments include:
- Individual, group and family counseling
- 12-step group involvement (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous)
- Education to address the individual’s physical, mental and emotional needs
Confidential peer-to-peer support and professional assistance is provided through assessment, treatment, recovery and monitoring. The program aims to help individuals restore dignity and self-respect, provide an opportunity to gain support from fellow dental professionals in recovery and maintain quality health care along with the safety of the general public through ongoing monitoring.
The committee is composed of volunteer member dentists, allied dental health professionals and dental society staff who are selected for their specific experience, expertise and willingness to serve. We also try to find those with similar experience or pertinent knowledge.