The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation made significant strides in 2024, advancing access to vital oral health care and reaching more communities than ever before. With a focus on underserved populations, including individuals with special needs, veterans, and communities in Guatemala, the Foundation has made remarkable progress in addressing critical care gaps. Additionally, the Foundation has bolstered its support for the future of the dental profession by offering scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on training for aspiring dental assistants.
“This year, we witnessed the true power of collaboration and generosity,” said Michael Le, Executive Director of the PDS Foundation. “Thanks to our volunteers, donors, and partners, we expanded key programs, increased access to care, and provided more tuition assistance than ever before to future dental assistants. These efforts are leaving a lasting impact, and we remain committed to expanding our reach to those who need it most.”
Key Achievements in 2024:
Dental Assistant Scholarships:
The PDS Foundation awarded over $243,000 in scholarships to more than 60 dental assisting students through the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $2 million in scholarships to over 320 students, helping strengthen the dental workforce nationwide.
International Outreach:
In 2024, the PDS Foundation conducted four week-long trips to Xenacoj, Guatemala, providing essential dental care at the Clínica Dental. These efforts included the first-ever joint dental-medical trips, offering care to over 1,600 patients. The total value of donated dentistry exceeded $1.3 million. The Foundation also welcomed faculty and students from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and the University of San Carlos of Guatemala to gain hands-on experience while treating local patients.
Special Needs Dentistry:
The PDS Foundation’s Dentists for Special Needs office in Phoenix, Arizona, treated nearly 5,000 patients in 2024, including 500 new patients. The office received the Certified Autism Center™ designation, becoming the first general practice dental office in the U.S. to earn this prestigious credential. The Foundation’s fundraising campaigns raised over $1.1 million for special needs dentistry, including a record-breaking $650,000 from the “Smile for Special Needs” campaign.
Support for Veterans:
As part of the ADA Foundation’s nationwide Give Vets a Smile campaign, the PDS Foundation provided over $73,000 in donated dental care to veterans in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Local and Global Initiatives:
The Foundation donated a fully equipped Mobile Dental Clinic to High Point University’s Workman School of Dental Medicine to support student-led community service. It also distributed over 2,000 Smile Kits to dental offices, nonprofits, and schools across the nation to help ease dental anxiety for patients.
“Our mission to support dental offices and assist patients in overcoming dental anxiety has been successful thanks to our volunteers and donors,” said Le. “We look forward to expanding these initiatives in 2025 and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
Through these initiatives, the PDS Foundation has not only expanded access to care but has also solidified its commitment to shaping the future of dentistry and improving the lives of individuals across the globe.
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