Henderson, Nev. – September 19, 2026 -- PDS Health provided $22.8 million in donated dental services to 5,863 patients nationwide during its 16th annual Smile Generation Serve Day, held throughout August.
More than 14,000 team members logged 83,549 volunteer hours in one month
The integrated healthcare support organization mobilized over 14,000 staff members across its network of affiliated practices to deliver free treatment to individuals facing barriers to dental care. Since the initiative launched in 2011, cumulative donated care has reached more than $117 million.
Access gap persists as millions seek emergency-room or cross-border dental treatment
PDS Health cited data showing about 11 million U.S. adults report seeking dental care in emergency rooms, while another 11 million travel outside the country for treatment. The company positioned Serve Day as a direct response to that unmet demand, linking oral health outcomes to broader systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and pregnancy complications through what it calls the Mouth-Body Connection.
Nonprofit partnerships routed veterans and underserved families into treatment chairs
Patients were referred through PDS Health practices and nonprofit partners including Dental Lifeline Network, Hire Heroes USA and After Innocence, extending care to veterans, wrongfully convicted individuals and families in underserved communities. One case involved U.S. Army veteran Alan Fricks, connected through a decade-long Dental Lifeline Network partnership to Jennifer Brown, DMD, owner of Spring Valley Modern Dentistry in Las Vegas, where he began treatment.
"It's life changing for me. I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy food and smile again," Fricks said.
Stephen E. Thorne IV frames the program as a recurring commitment, not a one-time event
"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," said Thorne, Founder and CEO of PDS Health.