MemorialCare and Pacific Dental Services Unveil First Co-Located Dental and Medical Office

US: MemorialCare, a nonprofit Southern California integrated health system, and Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), a dental and medical support organization, have revealed the location of their pioneering co-located dental and medical office. The joint venture aims to bring integrated health care services to the community, showcasing a unique collaboration between a regional health system and a national dental support organization. 

Shared Electronic Health Record 

This partnership between MemorialCare and Pacific Dental Services is bolstered by a shared electronic health record system. The recent signing of the first lease at the University Park shopping center in Irvine marks the beginning of this ambitious project’s realization.

MemorialCare Medical Group has already launched its health center at the site, offering specialized services in family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics since May. The forthcoming addition of Culver Smiles Dentistry, supported by PDS, will complete the integrated medical and dental office by this fall. The novel co-located practice will enable patients to access primary care and oral health care conveniently under one roof.

Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., President, and CEO of MemorialCare expressed enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “MemorialCare is excited to be a part of reimagining health care and improving the well-being of the communities we serve. In just a few months, we’ll watch our vision become a reality, and most importantly, patients of MemorialCare and Pacific Dental Services dental practices will have convenient access to primary care and oral health care in one location.”

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Plans for Future Expansion

According to a press release, this milestone marks the first of several co-located practices planned to open over the next five years as part of the joint venture’s expansion. PDS-supported dental offices will be strategically located within select MemorialCare Medical Group health centers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties, fostering collaboration between dentists and physicians to provide whole-person health care services. Seamless coordination of care will reportedly be facilitated by shared electronic health records on the Epic system, enabling patients to receive integrated and efficient healthcare solutions.

Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder, and CEO of Pacific Dental Services emphasized the significance of the co-located practice, stating, “Our first co-located practice will mark a significant milestone that underscores our dedication to improving patient health. This project’s momentum is driven by the shared commitment of MemorialCare and Pacific Dental Services to improving health outcomes through closer collaboration between the dental and medical fields. By prioritizing oral health, we can help patients improve their overall well-being and lead healthier, happier lives.”

Accessible and Comprehensive Healthcare 

Decades of clinical research have established the critical link between oral health and overall health. By integrating oral health care into primary health care settings, MemorialCare aims to deliver easily accessible, high-quality care.

Simultaneously, PDS‘ dedication to medical-dental integration aligns with the objective of improving health outcomes and reducing annual healthcare expenses and unnecessary hospitalizations. Together, these shared goals drive the collaboration to bring comprehensive and efficient health care solutions to patients.