The journey to PDS Health began over three decades ago in Southern California. Established in 1994 by Founder and CEO Stephen E. Thorne IV, Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) embarked on a mission to become the “Greatest Dental Company in America” by supporting the growth and success of dental practices nationwide. Over the years, it expanded its scope, supporting its first pediatric dental practice in 2008 and its first primary care medical practice in 2016.
Understanding the link between oral health and overall health (Mouth-Body Connection®), PDS recognized the importance of bridging dentistry and medical care to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. Its technology teams collaborated closely with Epic® to enhance its comprehensive health record system for use in the dental field — an initiative that brought together medical and dental data to form complete, longitudinal health records. PDS was the first large dental organization to implement this system into its nationwide network of dental practices, a bold strategic move that demonstrated its commitment to bringing dental-medical integration to life.
