#USA #Henderson #AARP #PDS Health #AgeTech Collaborative

PDS Health Partners with AARP's AgeTech Collaborative

PDS Health®, a leading organization providing integrated healthcare support, proudly announces its participation in AARP's AgeTech Collaborative™ — a global ecosystem aimed at enhancing aging through innovative solutions and collaboration. With over 700 member organizations, the AgeTech Collaborative brings together various stakeholders, including startups, enterprises, and healthcare leaders, to tackle challenges faced by the aging population.

As the first non-startup dental organization to join this notable group, PDS Health seeks to contribute crucial insights into the often overlooked connection between oral health and overall wellbeing. Oral health plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall health, but has remained separate from general healthcare, posing challenges in managing the complexities that arise as populations age. Addressing these issues is critical, as many seniors are faced with multiple chronic conditions like cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and cognitive issues — all closely linked to oral health.

Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health, emphasizes the importance of integrated care: "Improving outcomes for an aging population requires fully integrating oral health into overall health. The AgeTech Collaborative is where we can accelerate this integration, which is vital for identifying risks early and managing chronic diseases effectively."

The reality is stark; over half of adults aged 65 and older are managing numerous chronic health issues. Without the collaboration of dental and medical providers, the chances for early intervention and comprehensive care diminish significantly. PDS Health aims to change this narrative through its dental-medical integration model, allowing clinicians access to shared data that offers a complete picture of each patient's health history. This includes essential information such as medical history, current medications, lab results, and clinical notes.

Such integration is not merely beneficial but necessary, especially with the growing complexity of health needs as individuals age. Utilizing integrated electronic health records with Epic®, PDS Health ensures real-time access to patient information, enabling clinicians to make timely and well-informed healthcare decisions. This level of coordination allows for the identification of potential health risks ahead of time, which is crucial for effective management.

Equipped with advanced saliva screenings and diagnostics, the organization is well-positioned to enhance disease detection capabilities for aging populations. As the world embraces the longevity market, projected to reach tens of trillions, the need for collaboration across various sectors becomes increasingly essential to shape the future of health care.

PDS Health’s continued focus on advancing the integration of dental and medical services underscores the connection between oral health and overall wellbeing, ultimately striving for healthier and happier patients. As part of the AgeTech Collaborative, PDS Health will interact with numerous healthcare and technology organizations, leveraging its clinical expertise to explore opportunities for implementing innovative solutions designed to support an aging population.

To learn more about PDS Health and its groundbreaking initiatives, visit pdshealth.com.

About PDS Health

PDS Health continues a mission that started under Pacific Dental Services® back in 1994. The goal remains to redefine healthcare through the integration of dental and medical services by recognizing the vital ties between oral health and overall health. As a primary provider of integrated healthcare support, PDS Health offers a comprehensive array of services to dental and medical sectors, elevating operational effectiveness and care delivery for providers across the United States.

Note: Mouth-Body Connection® and Epic® are registered trademarks of PDS Health and Epic Systems Corporation, respectively.