Henderson, Nev.-based PDS Health, formerly Pacific Dental Services, is taking a strategic approach to expanding its specialty dental network this year.
The integrated dental-medical company recently added three specialty dental groups to its network, which allows patients to access specialty care in the same office as their general dentist.
PDS Health COO and Senior Vice President of Operations Jon Thorne and Director of Specialty Partnerships Danielle Ecklund recently spoke with Becker's to discuss PDS Health's specialty network and the trends they are seeing in the dental field.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How does PDS' specialty ownership model work?
Danielle Ecklund: This model enables dental specialists to have ownership in a specialty group with PDS providing business support services. Each of these providers have previously had a contractor relationship providing specialty services to our supported practices, so we knew they were culturally aligned and clinically excellent — qualities that are essential for success in this model. This structure not only allows us to extend the business support services we already offer to our supported general dentists but also enhances comprehensive patient care. Patients benefit from a seamless experience, receiving all their care in one location without the inconvenience of having to wait weeks or travel to specialists in a location that may not be close to where they live or work.
Q: How does PDS plan to expand this specialty network?
DE: Our approach to expanding this program is highly selective and strategic. We prioritize candidates who are deeply aligned with our organizational values and demonstrate clinical excellence. Our goal is to ensure that each specialty group owner dentist is confident and capable of leading effectively at this level. For the time being, we plan to maintain a compact, high-quality group that can uphold the excellent patient experience that we pride ourselves on as an organization.
Jon Thorne: Leadership skills are key. Many specialists are accustomed to leading teams of dental assistants or front office staff, but in these groups, they are leading a team of fellow clinicians. This is a significant shift and can be quite challenging. That’s why we are thoughtfully approaching our growth strategy. We’re looking for specialists who are not only skilled in dentistry, but also possess the capability to effectively lead larger, more diverse teams.
Q: What trends are you both following with specialty DSOs?
JT: [The specialty DSO model] has really expanded over the last three or four years. Having been in this field for more than 30 years, I’ve seen more growth in this area in the recent few years than I've seen in the previous 27. We’re closely watching these developments, learning how others are structuring their businesses and setting up their operational strategies. We’re watching that very closely, as we always want to ensure we have the best model for clinicians and patients alike.
DE: I believe the trends regarding specialty residency graduates have remained consistent, which intensifies the competition as other DSOs and private practices also continue to grow. However, there is a noticeable shift in the attitude of recent graduates. More residents are now eager to engage with DSOs, attracted by the opportunities to work within a comprehensive care model, which marks a significant departure from the traditional preference for private practice. This shift is certainly encouraging.