12 September 2023

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Pacific Dental Services donates $10.6M in dental care, breaking previous records

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Pacific Dental Services and its Smile Generation brand reached an unprecedented milestone in August for their 13th annual Smile Generation Serve Day. They provided over $10.6 million in dental services to more than 3,500 patients – up from $7.6 million last year – and contributed more than 71,000 hours of service to their local communities across the U.S.

Dedicated to offering free dental care to underserved patients nationwide, Smile Generation Serve Day provides dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals and other essential services. Since its launch in 2011, this initiative has delivered over $57.4 million in donated oral healthcare to more than 27,000 patients.

According to a news release, Smile Generation Serve Day includes other service projects beyond dentistry. Thousands of Pacific Dental Services (PDS) team members and their families across the country packed hygiene kits for the homeless, harvested vegetables, packed back-to-school kits with supplies, served in local food banks, worked on park beautifications and beach clean-ups, and even donated blood – all in support of local community efforts.

A tradition of service 

Stephen Thorne IV, founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services, said in the news release that it is heartwarming to hear the countless stories of lives transformed by Smile Generation Serve Day.

"Our team members approach this annual event with open hearts, driven by the desire to serve their communities, and this year's impact serves as a testament to their strong commitment," he said. 

Dr. Bianca Velayo, DMD, owner of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry in Henderson, Nevada, said that she takes part in Smile Generation Serve Day because it's one of the best traditions at Pacific Dental Services.

"I love how this event unites communities to serve those in need," she said. "It's amazing to see team members traveling from various offices to join us in offering free dentistry to our patients. We're not only giving our time and our love, but we're also making a profound impact on people's lives."

Partnering with non-profit organizations

Patients treated during this year's Smile Generation Serve Day included individuals referred by PDS team members and current patients, as well as those affiliated with non-profit organizations such as After Innocence, Dental Lifeline Network, The Freedom Child Foundation and The Kaufman Fund, among others.

Since 2018, After Innocence has partnered with PDS-supported dental practices to provide more than 250 exonerees with donated dental services on Smile Generation Serve Day, clearing the way for a lifetime of good oral health. This year, 70 patients from After Innocence received free dental services from 55 PDS-supported practices across 14 states. 

Dental Lifeline Network is an organization that aims to improve oral health for individuals with disabilities, the elderly and the medically fragile who lack access to dental care. It has partnered with PDS for seven years and this year, more than 20 patients received free dental care at PDS-supported practices during Smile Generation Serve Day.

Changing lives

The impact of this annual event extends far beyond dental procedures; it restores hope, rebuilds confidence, and transforms lives. This year, the event witnessed remarkable transformations in patients, among them, David Feagin and Amber Paluzzi.

Feagin faced challenges stemming from years of dental issues until receiving assistance from 17th Street Modern Dentistry in Costa Mesa, California. With $13,450 in donated dental care, including six extractions and a partial denture, his story exemplifies the transformative power of a renewed smile.

In Phoenix, Arizona, Paluzzi held onto a dream of a beautiful smile for over three decades. Thanks to the team at Marketplace Smiles Dentistry, that dream became a reality through $12,500 in donated dental care, including the placement of six crowns.

Read more details and additional patient stories: Patient Stories.

About Pacific Dental Services

Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is one of the country's leading dental and medical support organizations, empowering clinicians with supported autonomy to deliver comprehensive patient care. PDS provides administrative and business operations support, highly skilled staff, and ongoing training and education to help healthcare providers succeed. PDS incorporates the most advanced, proven technologies with best practices and procedures to ensure high-quality care and is a leading advocate for the integration of dental and medical care to improve whole-person health. Since its foundation in 1994, PDS has grown to support over 4,100 clinicians (dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, and nurse practitioners) in nearly 1,000 practices across 24 states and continues to expand. To learn more, visit pacificdentalservices.com 

About Smile Generation

Smile Generation connects patients to Smile Generation-trusted dentists who are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. Smile Generation also provides financial choices for patients and education about the connection between oral health and overall health (The Mouth-Body Connection). The Smile Generation network spans nearly 1,000 dental offices in 24 states. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by Pacific Dental Services.