Continuing last year’s momentum of rapid network expansion and dental-medical integration is the top priority for Henderson, Nev.-based PDS Health in 2025.
The integrated healthcare services organization surpassed the 1,000-practice milestone, reported double-digit financial growth and completed more than 7 million patient visits in 2024 and is carrying over that success.
Stephen Thorne, the company’s founder and CEO, recently connected with Becker’s to discuss the organization’s goals for 2025, the ways that they stand out in the DSO industry and the importance of oral health in overall health.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What are PDS Health’s big goals for 2025?
Stephen Thorne: We want to grow and we’re bullish on 2025. The plan is to add over 100 offices this year and expand another 30 or 40, depending on how well we’re tracking. We’re also pushing hard on dental-medical integration, which is a big focus for us this year.
Q: How will you achieve your goals?
ST: Our number one belief statement is that patients pay our salaries. We’re very patient-centric, but our core customers are our providers: dentists, hygienists, specialists and primary care providers. They’re the ones delivering care and our job is to support them. If we can make their jobs easier and more efficient, then they can have more time to focus on delivering great care. That’s how we all succeed.
I’ve been at this for 36 years, and patient demand is near all-time high. People are starting to understand that oral health matters and that oral health means better overall health. It’s crazy to think that for decades, the mouth was treated as separate from the rest of the body. That’s finally starting to change, and people are understanding dental conditions can have medical consequences, and we’re helping drive that shift.
Q: How does the organization set itself apart from others in the industry?
ST: The Mouth-Body Connection is the science that shows what’s happening in the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. It’s well documented that oral bacteria, inflammation and disease are tied to conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. What sets us apart is how we’re putting that knowledge into practice. Whether it’s saliva screenings, oral bacteria testing or bringing basic health screenings for earlier interventions into the dental setting, we’re giving providers a more complete view of a patient’s health. That includes A1c testing to better understand diabetes risk and blood pressure checks to monitor cardiovascular health. When you bring these pieces together, it creates a more efficient approach to care and ultimately leads to better results for patients.
Q: Why is the Mouth-Body Connection so important and focal point for PDS Health?
ST: Thousands of studies from major institutions around the world have shown that patients who maintain good oral health are healthier overall. Their diabetes costs are lower. The risk of cardiovascular disease and preterm, low weight births is reduced. They’re less likely to be hospitalized or visit the ER. This leads to lower overall healthcare costs. It has been well studied and well proven.
Dentists have a unique opportunity to support early interventions by doing simple things every time a patient walks through the door. Most people don’t see their primary care provider regularly. They tend to wait until something is wrong or visit for a specific issue. But many patients see their dentist at least twice a year, and that creates a critical opportunity. Dentists are becoming an essential part of the primary care team, and for some patients, they may be the first point of contact for their overall health.
That’s why the Mouth-Body Connection is a central focus for PDS Health. We’re helping bridge the gap between dental and medical care, so providers can work more efficiently and patients get more complete care.