Pacific Dental Services

Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is a dental support organization (DSO) that provides business and administrative services for dental offices in the United States.[2] It is headquartered in Irvine, California.[2][3]

Pacific Dental Services
Company typePrivately Held Company
IndustryDental Service Organization
Founded1994; 30 years ago (1994)
FounderStephen Thorne IV, CEO
HeadquartersIrvine, California, U.S.
Area served
United States
ServicesManages branded dental practices
Number of employees
12,000[1]
Websitewww.pacificdentalservices.com

According to founder and CEO Stephen Thorne, Pacific Dental Services follows a business model that provides operational practices, procedures, and technology for dental practices.[citation needed] Its ownership structure allows dentists to own their practices while engaging PDS’s management services.[4]

History

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The Orange County Business Journal listed PDS as one of the fastest-growing companies in Orange County in 2007.[5] By 2012, the company supported over 300 dental offices across the West Coast.[6] That number grew to 816 offices in 24 states by 2020.[4]

PDS projected that its total revenue would grow to $2 billion by the end of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company laid off 8,000 of its 13,000 employees, and revenue dipped to $1.6 billion by the end of the year.[1]

In 2021, Moody's Investors Service assigned PDS a B1 CFR bond credit rating, supported by the company's sales growth and expansion while constrained by its history of negative cash flow due to growth investments.[4]

Technology

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PDS was the first DSO to implement Epic Systems's electronic health record system with dental practices.[7] The patient portal enables patients and providers to access and share information, make appointments, and manage billing.[2][8][9]

Various PDS offices use cone beam computed tomography to diagnose conditions. By 2020, 100 PDS-supported offices were using the technology,[10] and by 2022, that number had grown to 365.[7]

Partnerships

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PDS is partnered with dental equipment manufacturer Envista to provide imaging and tooth replacement solutions from Nobel Biocare. In 2022, the companies announced a five-year extension to their partnership, upgrading the imaging infrastructure to 3D imaging and adding Spark clear aligners.[11]

In 2021, PDS partnered with the American Diabetes Association to promote awareness of the "Mouth-Body Connection" and the link between periodontal disease and chronic illnesses such as diabetes.[12]

Smile Generation

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Pacific Dental Services supports Smile Generation, a referral service that connects patients with PDS dentists in the United States and provides financing options.[13]

Charity

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Smile Generation partners with the Pacific Dental Services Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, on various charity and community service events to help provide dental care to underserved populations.[14][15] Charity events have included free service days with affiliate practices and fundraising campaigns with the Special Olympics, KaBOOM! and charity: water.[16][17]

PDS has been listed as one of Orange County’s “Companies That Care” by the Orange County Business Journal.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b Peter J. Brennen (2022-06-06). "Stephen Thorne: Pioneering the New Dental Industry Standard". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  2. ^ a b c Frederick Jerrant (2020-09-28). "Michael Williamson Amplifies Care Through PDS's Values". American Healthcare Leader. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  3. ^ "Pacific Dental Services Inc - Company Profile". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  4. ^ a b c "Pacific Dental Services, LLC -- Moody's assigns B1 CFR to Pacific Dental Services, LLC; outlook stable". Yahoo!. 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  5. ^ Jan Norman (2007-09-25). "Fastest growing OC companies named". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  6. ^ "Irvine dentist referral service brings smiles to community". Orange County Register. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  7. ^ a b Group Dentistry Now (2021-08-17). "Pacific Dental Services Launches One-Of-A-Kind Dental-Medical Practice In Support Of Whole-Body Health". Group Dentistry Now. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  8. ^ Steve Forbes (2022-08-18). "A Very Noteworthy Healthcare Collaboration". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  9. ^ David Burger (2022-10-21). "Medical-dental integration emphasizes mouth-body connection". ADA News. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  10. ^ Carly Behm (2020-12-28). "Pacific Dental Services implants imaging tool in 100 practices". Becker's Dental + DSO Review. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  11. ^ Dulan Lokuwithhana (2022-01-31). "Envista expands partnership with Pacific Dental Services". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  12. ^ "Pacific Dental Services and American Diabetes Association Partner To Increase Awareness of the Link Between Oral Health and Diabetes". American Diabetes Association. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  13. ^ Sara Cardine (2023-08-30). "Costa Mesa dentist donates care on service day, filling teeth and gaps in healthcare access". Los Angeles Times Daily Pilot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  14. ^ "Pacific Dental Services Gives People More Reason to Smile". Orange County Business Journal. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  15. ^ "About PDS Foundation". Smile Generation. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  16. ^ Allison Childers (2018-03-19). "Smile drive underway to provide free dental care for Special Olympic athletes". WAFB Channel 9. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  17. ^ Lauren Martinez (2022-08-23). "Las Vegas dentists donate dental services to those in need". Fox 5 KVVU. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  18. ^ Sumer Bowles (2023-12-18). "Companies That Care 2023". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-08.