PDS Health Celebrates One Year of Success in International Dental Studies Program at Pacific Health Care Collaborative

PDS Health Celebrates a Year of Achievements in Healthcare Education



PDS Health®, a prominent integrated healthcare support organization, has recognized a monumental achievement following the completion of the first year for students within the International Dental Studies program at the Pacific Health Care Collaborative. Founded by Stephen E. Thorne IV, PDS Health has underscored its commitment to advancing healthcare by integrating dental and medical services effectively.

Located at the University of the Pacific, this collaborative effort is pivotal in transforming how healthcare is delivered in the Sacramento region. The Pacific Health Care Collaborative, spearheaded by the university's Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, works jointly with the School of Health Sciences and the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. This initiative is not only intended to provide holistic care but also to prepare future practitioners to adopt a well-rounded approach in healthcare delivery.

The extensive 30,000-square-foot facility was made possible owing to a generous $4 million gift from Thorne and his wife, Pamela. Their strong connection to the institution, marked by a history of family alumni from the Dugoni School of Dentistry, reflects their dedication to advancing oral health and integrating it with medical services.

Patients began receiving screenings at the facility at the end of 2024, with dental services starting in January 2025 and medical care for Pacific students commencing in May. Stephen E. Thorne expressed enthusiasm about the center's opening, stating, "This center represents the future of health care... The Pacific Health Care Collaborative proves that dental-medical integration is not a distant goal; it is happening now and already making a meaningful difference in people's lives."

This center not only integrates educational and clinical services but is also innovative in patient care, featuring a specifically designed space for clients requiring sensory-sensitive accommodations. This includes eight medical examination rooms, two procedure rooms, thirty dental operatories, an ambulatory surgery center, and sensory-flexible procedures designed for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and acquired disabilities, thus ensuring a more comfortable experience for patients with specialized needs.

Furthermore, to enhance community outreach, a mobile health clinic equipped with three treatment and exam rooms is established to reach broader populations in Sacramento. This initiative underscores a growing commitment to accessibility in healthcare delivery.

Recently, twenty-nine students from the International Dental Studies program have successfully completed their first academic year, leading towards a promising future in interdisciplinary healthcare. Kim Benton, DDS, who directs the Pacific Health Care Collaborative shared, "These are exciting times as we wrap up the inaugural year... We are grateful to PDS Health for investing in the future of interprofessional healthcare education."

The Pacific Health Care Collaborative is rapidly becoming a prototype for the integration of academic, clinical, and service partnerships in the healthcare sector. By working together, institutions like PDS Health and the University of the Pacific are collaboratively building a more coherent, patient-centered healthcare system.

About PDS Health


PDS Health continues to redefine healthcare by merging medical and dental services, carrying forth a legacy started by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994. With a focus on the intrinsic link between oral health and overall wellbeing, PDS Health aims to elevate patient care standards while enhancing operations for dental, dental specialty, and medical service providers across the nation. To learn more about their mission and services, visit pdshealth.com.

About the Pacific Health Care Collaborative


The Pacific Health Care Collaborative at the University of the Pacific is pioneering new approaches in healthcare delivery by uniting dental and medical services within a unique educational framework. With a mission to prepare upcoming healthcare professionals for value-based care delivery, this initiative stands as a landmark within the realm of integrated health practices. Located on the Sacramento campus in the historic Oak Park neighborhood, it serves as a vital resource for community health and education.

Topics Health)

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