PDS Health provided donated dental care to 5,863 patients during its 16th annual Smile Generation Serve Day, held throughout August 2026. More than 14,000 PDS Health team members participated in the initiative, contributing 83,549 volunteer hours. According to the organization, more than $22.8 million in healthcare services were donated during this year's event.
“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.”
Patients were referred through PDS Health-supported practices and partnerships with nonprofit organizations, including Dental Lifeline Network, Hire Heroes USA, After Innocence, and regional organizations. The initiative focuses on individuals who may encounter barriers to accessing dental care, including veterans, wrongfully convicted individuals, and families in underserved communities.
PDS Health also uses the annual initiative to draw attention to the relationship between oral and overall health. The organization noted that periodontal disease is associated with systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and pregnancy complications.
According to figures cited by PDS Health, approximately 11 million U.S. adults report seeking dental care in emergency rooms, while another 11 million report traveling outside the United States for dental care.
PDS Health has worked with Dental Lifeline Network for more than a decade to connect individuals with dental care. Through this year’s program, U.S. Army veteran Alan Fricks was connected with Jennifer Brown, DMD, a practicing dentist and owner of Spring Valley Modern Dentistry in Las Vegas, where he began receiving treatment.
“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.”
Smile Generation Serve Day began in 2011. According to PDS Health, its team members have provided more than $117 million in donated care through the initiative since its inception.
PDS Health traces its history to Pacific Dental Services, which began in 1994. The organization provides support services to dental, dental specialty, and medical providers across the United States, with an emphasis on the relationship between oral and overall health.
