Henderson, Nev.-based PDS Health recently added its 1,000th support practice, but the healthcare support organization will continue advocating for medical-dental integration.
Since it changed its name in April from Pacific Dental Services to PDS Health, one of the company's main goals was to become a leader in the dental-medical space.
"For the rest of 2024 and beyond, our goals include completing our rebranding efforts and establishing new business units across dental, medical, specialties, health technologies, innovation, and plans," Stephen Thorne, the company's CEO and founder, told Becker's. "Our focus remains on supporting our clinicians, improving patient care, and expanding our impact on overall health outcomes."
By further expanding into the healthcare industry PDS Health now has the ability to bring healthcare and dental care providers together and break down previous barriers to integrated care, not only in the U.S. but on the global playing field.
Mr. Thorne said this change will bring a massive positive impact, felt most by the patient.
"Our commitment to advancing positive and necessary changes in healthcare positions us to expand our influence and improve health outcomes on both a national and global scale," said Mr. Thorne. "By breaking down silos in healthcare and promoting collaboration between dental and medical professionals, we can make a profound impact on patient care."
By growing its network of dental and medical practices, PDS Health will continue to facilitate more collaboration between the dental and medical professions, leading to an improved, holistic approach to patient care.
"I envision medical-dental integration advancing at all levels, from local practice partnerships to regional health systems and even federal initiatives aimed at increasing access to oral health care," Mr. Thorne said.
The key to unlocking effective medical-dental integration will come through the integration of medical and dental records alongside advanced diagnostic technologies, he said. The industry-wide push for medical-dental integration is still in its early stages, but it has the space to grow at all levels.