Milestone increases access to dental-medical integrated healthcare.
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2020 – Leading dental support organization Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) has announced Epic®, the most widely-used comprehensive health records system, has now been implemented in 100 PDS-supported dental practices. All organizations using Epic can easily exchange patient data for improved patient care, allowing PDS-supported dentists and specialists the ability to coordinate care with other medical care providers who serve their patients, closing care gaps and reducing duplication. As the first dental support organization to join the Epic community, this ability to easily exchange data for improved continuity of care across the country is a key differentiator for PDS-supported practices, setting them apart from other dental providers.
“Implementing Epic in our 100th supported practice is an incredible achievement,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “With Epic, PDS-supported clinicians and their patients are able to enjoy the benefits of a seamless, comprehensive healthcare system that focuses on whole-body health and aligns with PDS' primary purpose of supporting dentists so they can focus on keeping patients healthier and happier.”
Epic is used by a majority of U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked hospitals and medical schools, which are working collaboratively every day to improve patient care, innovate healthcare delivery and achieve financial health. With Epic, patients and caregivers can chronicle their healthcare journey using the MyChart patient portal. MyChart gives patients, and their designated caregivers, secure digital access to their health information, enabling them to communicate with providers, schedule appointments, and pay bills online.
“Our partnership with Epic allows patients to see their acute, primary and dental health history all in one place,” said David Baker, SVP, Chief Information Officer at PDS. “As Epic continues to be implemented in PDS-supported practices, dental and medical clinicians will be able to collaborate more holistically in support of their patients' overall health.”
Since its inception in 1994, PDS-supported dentists have been committed to clinical excellence and providing the Perfect Patient Experience®. This includes educating patients about the link between oral health and whole-body health – what PDS and its supported practices call the Mouth-Body Connection®. Research shows that harmful bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can indicate and even cause systemic conditions throughout the body. Maladies of the mouth, including periodontal disease, may be linked with other medical conditions including oral cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
With modern dentistry and proven technology, PDS-supported practices aim to be the providers of choice in all the markets they serve, one patient at a time.