More than 14,000 team members serve communities across the country during annual initiative

HENDERSON, Nev., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PDS Health^®, a leading integrated healthcare support organization, helped nearly 6,000 patients access needed dental care during its 16th annual Smile Generation Serve Day, a nationwide initiative dedicated to serving individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to care.

Throughout August, more than 14,000 PDS Health team members came together to serve patients and communities across the country. In total, 5,863 patients received donated care, while team members contributed 83,549 volunteer hours through Smile Generation Serve Day.

“Service changes the hearts and minds of those who serve and can have a lasting impact on the lives of those we have the privilege to help,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. “Each year, Smile Generation Serve Day brings our team members together with a shared commitment to care for others, strengthen our communities and carry that spirit of service forward.”

For patients who lack access to dental care, receiving needed treatment can have an impact that extends beyond their oral health. Smile Generation Serve Day helps address barriers to care while reinforcing the Mouth-Body Connection^®, the link between oral health and overall health. Periodontal disease is associated with systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and pregnancy complications.

In 2026, oral healthcare remains out of reach for many people across the U.S. About 11 million adults report seeking dental care in emergency rooms, while another 11 million report traveling outside the U.S. for dental care. Smile Generation Serve Day helps address this access gap by connecting patients with care in the communities where they live.

This year, Smile Generation Serve Day provided more than $22.8 million in donated healthcare services. Since the initiative began in 2011, PDS Health team members have provided more than $117 million in donated care to patients across the country, reflecting the continued growth and impact of the annual day of service.

Patients were referred through PDS Health practices as well as through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, including Dental Lifeline Network, Hire Heroes USA, After Innocence and other regional organizations. These collaborations help connect individuals who may not otherwise have access to needed dental care, including veterans, wrongfully convicted individuals and families in underserved communities.

For more than a decade, PDS Health has partnered with Dental Lifeline Network to help expand access to dental care for people in need. This year, that partnership connected U.S. Army veteran Alan Fricks with Jennifer Brown, DMD, practicing dentist and owner of Spring Valley Modern Dentistry in Las Vegas, where he began treatment to improve his oral health and overall health.

“I’m so grateful for being chosen for this opportunity,” said Fricks. “It’s life changing for me. I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy food and smile again.”

Through Smile Generation Serve Day, PDS Health continues its longstanding commitment to service while helping more people access essential oral healthcare. By increasing access and raising awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health, the initiative supports PDS Health’s purpose of creating healthier, happier patients.

To learn more, visit pdshealth.com.

About PDS Health
PDS Health^® continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services^® in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health, visit pdshealth.com. 

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SOURCE PDS Health