The organization now supports a combined total of over 4,100 oral health professionals.
“I believe hitting this milestone is a positive reflection that PDS is a company that puts people first and gives owner dentists the support they need to provide exceptional care to their patients,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “Dentists choose to join PDS because they know they will receive mentorship from the best dentists in the field, have access to the best tools, systems and proven technologies, and thrive in an environment that helps them elevate their role as a healthcare professional – not only in assisting patients with their dental needs but truly improving their overall health. We look forward to partnering with many more owner dentists in the future while fulfilling our vision of becoming The Greatest Dental Company in America.”
PDS’ unique business model enables dentists to own their dental practice and empowers them to spend more time with patients and less time on the administrative responsibilities of running a practice. PDS calls this its Private Practice+® model. Because its supported dentists can leverage the operational support of the large business services organization, they have the freedom to focus exclusively on patient care while PDS remains focused on the business aspects of the practice.
A key dental differentiator for PDS-supported dentists is the ability to combine advances in the latest proven technology with the best operational practices and procedures. These clinical treatment tools are at the forefront of oral and whole-body health care and include the Epic® practice management system that integrates a patient’s acute, primary and dental health history all in one place, CEREC® CAD/CAM same-day dental restorations, cone beam computed tomography and digital X-rays, soft tissue diode lasers, blood and salivary diagnostics, and the VELscope® oral screening system to help detect oral cancers. Furthermore, through PDS’ comprehensive specialty model, general dentists have the ability to closely collaborate with dental specialists like oral and maxillofacial surgeons, endodontists, periodontists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and dental hygienists from within their practices.
Dr. Howes graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City and served as the Chief Resident during her residency at Brookdale Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She also recently completed her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), a credential only 6% of general dentists earn.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as PDS’ 700th supported owner dentist,” said Dr. Howes. “I joined PDS at the height of the pandemic in 2020. I am happy to be an owner dentist of a practice where I have the ability to support and grow an amazing team and provide a patient-centric clinical culture that focuses on a commitment to quality care.”
Since its inception in 1994, PDS-supported dentists have been committed to clinical excellence and providing the Perfect Patient Experience®. This includes educating patients about the link between oral health and overall health – what PDS and its supported practices call the Mouth-Body Connection®. Research shows that harmful bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can indicate and even cause systemic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease has been connected to systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, pregnancy complications that result in pre-term/low-weight births and more. Conversely, the link is often bi-directional. Many systemic diseases, conditions and even medications can affect a patient’s oral health.
For more information about River Point Dental Group and Orthodontics, visit https://www.riverpointdentalgroup.com
