#USA #fundraising #Henderson #PDS Health #Special Care Dentistry

PDS Health Secures Over $1 Million

In a remarkable achievement, PDS Health®, a prominent integrated healthcare support organization, has successfully raised over $1 million through two fundraising initiatives in 2025. This funding will primarily support the PDS Health Foundation™ in its mission to enhance access to special care dentistry for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The significant amount raised not only surpasses previous records for the initiative but also highlights PDS Health's unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes by addressing disparities in access to oral health education and training.

The fundraising efforts centered on two key campaigns: Smile for Special Needs, a substantial two-month in-practice fundraising campaign, which alone generated more than $900,000; and Stroll for Special Needs, an annual 5K event encouraging participants to walk, run, or roll in support of the cause, which raised over $148,000 with more than 640 participants across the nation.

The context surrounding these campaigns is crucial. Statistics reveal that one in four adults in the U.S. lives with a disability. Shockingly, the prevalence of periodontal disease among those with intellectual, acquired, or developmental disabilities ranges from 56% to 92%, and up to 72% suffer from tooth loss, as reported by the Journal of the American Dental Association. This is alarming considering the strong link between poor oral health and serious systemic health conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

However, a significant barrier exists: most dental students receive minimal training in providing care to patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Consequently, many of these individuals, particularly those with anxiety or sensory sensitivities, do not receive essential dental care for extended periods.

To combat these issues, the PDS Health Foundation is pioneering initiatives to expand access to special care dentistry. They are doing this through partnerships with independent dental and primary care practices across 24 states. Dentists for Special Needs, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is establishing a clinical training pipeline aimed at current and future oral health professionals. This includes hands-on rotations for dental and dental hygiene students, continuing education for over 17,000 PDS Health clinicians, and immersion experiences designed to better equip care teams in serving patients with disabilities.

Additionally, the Foundation provides Smile Kits and other sensory-friendly tools to foster comfortable and inclusive environments for care. These innovative efforts are geared towards ensuring that patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities can find dental homes tailored to meet their unique needs with compassion and expertise.

Michael Le, the Executive Director of the PDS Health Foundation, commended the success of the fundraising campaigns, stating, "This achievement reflects the commitment of our team members who strive to enhance healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The funds will contribute to clinical rotations for dental students, training programs for clinical teams, and tools that ensure sensory-sensitive patients feel safe and supported. Thanks to the generosity of our contributors and the hard work of our care teams, we are making strides towards providing quality dental care for all patients, regardless of their abilities."

Among the participating practices, Riverside Modern Dentistry from Riverside, California, stood out as the top fundraising practice, contributing over $23,000 to the effort. Operations Manager Jennifer Corral expressed, "Smile for Special Needs holds a special place in our hearts. We believe every patient deserves access to quality dental care, and supporting this cause allows our team to impact lives positively."

Looking ahead, PDS Health and the PDS Health Foundation are committed to fostering a more inclusive oral healthcare system. Their long-term vision includes strengthening the provider pipeline, lowering barriers to care, and ultimately promoting healthier and happier lives for all patients.

For more information about the initiatives of the PDS Health Foundation, please visit pdsfoundation.org.

About PDS Health

PDS Health® continues the mission initiated by Pacific Dental Services® in 1994, aiming to transform healthcare through the integration of dental and medical services. By focusing on the interrelation between oral health and overall well-being, PDS Health seeks to create healthier and happier patients while setting new standards in the healthcare sector. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the organization offers a wide range of services to dental, dental specialty, and medical providers across the United States. For additional information, please visit pdshealth.com.

About PDS Health Foundation

The PDS Health Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) charitable entity dedicated to enhancing overall health through community service opportunities at local, national, and international levels. The Foundation strives for a world where every individual has access to oral health care and possesses a heart to serve. With initiatives including special needs dentistry, dental assistant scholarships, and global service trips, the PDS Health Foundation is committed to expanding oral healthcare access to communities worldwide. For further details, visit pdsfoundation.org.