Here are five things to know about Pacific Dental Services, one of the largest DSOs in the U.S.:
1. The DSO currently supports 940 practices nationwide, but it is on track to surpass 1,000 offices this year.
2. Pacific Dental Services is continuing to prioritize dental-medical integrated care. It will soon open an integrated office in Irvine, Calif., through its partnership with Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare.
3. Stephen Thorne founded PDS in 1994 and continues to serve as CEO.
4. In May, Pacific Dental Services honored the first graduate from its college advancement program. The DSO was the first to offer eligible employees 100 percent tuition coverage for an undergraduate degree of choice through ASU Online.
5. The DSO has made several moves in recent months to support dental assistants. Most recently, it awarded $70,000 in summer scholarships to 17 students studying dental assisting.