Roseman University of Health Sciences and PDS Health® Unveil the Thorne Clinic for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care in Henderson, Nevada
Roseman University of Health Sciences and PDS Health® celebrated a landmark moment in the future of integrated healthcare with the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Thorne Clinic for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care. Located on Roseman’s Henderson, Nevada campus at 4 Sunset Way, Building A, the state-of-the-art facility marks a transformative step forward in dental education, community health access, and the integration of medical and dental care.
The event drew a distinguished gathering of elected officials, business and civic leaders, members of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, university faculty, students, and healthcare professionals—all united in recognition of a shared vision for holistic, patient-centered care. The Thorne Clinic is not just another dental teaching facility; it represents a bold reimagining of how oral health and primary care can—and should—work in tandem to improve overall health outcomes.
A Vision Realized Through Philanthropy and Partnership
The 12,000-square-foot clinic, featuring 35 modern dental operatories, was made possible through a significant philanthropic investment by PDS Health, a leading dental support organization. Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health, spearheaded the initiative, fully funding the design, construction, and equipping of the facility at no cost to Roseman University. This generous gift included not only the physical infrastructure but also specialized dental equipment, advanced computer systems, and the deployment of PDS Health’s in-house construction and design teams to ensure the clinic met the highest standards of functionality and innovation.
With the addition of the Thorne Clinic, Roseman’s Henderson campus now boasts a total of 62 dental chairs across 17,300 square feet of clinical space. Once operating at full capacity, the expanded footprint will enable the university to deliver up to 50,000 patient visits annually, dramatically increasing access to affordable, high-quality dental care for Southern Nevada residents.
Advancing Integrated Care and Education
“This is a proud moment for Roseman University and for Southern Nevada,” said Dr. Frank Licari, Dean of the Roseman University College of Dental Medicine. “The Thorne Clinic not only expands access to care but also creates an unparalleled integrative educational environment for our dental students. This partnership with PDS Health underscores the power of innovation and collaboration in advancing both oral health and primary care.”
The clinic’s strategic location adjacent to Roseman’s existing dental and orthodontic clinics—and near a soon-to-open Roseman Medical Group primary care clinic—fosters a unique ecosystem where dental and medical professionals can collaborate in real time. This co-location is central to the clinic’s mission: to break down traditional silos between medicine and dentistry and demonstrate how integrated care leads to better patient outcomes.
Starting in January 2026, dental students enrolled in Roseman’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program—currently based at the South Jordan, Utah campus—will relocate to Henderson to complete their clinical training at the Thorne Clinic. Under the supervision of experienced faculty, these students will provide patient care while gaining hands-on experience in an environment that mirrors the collaborative, technology-driven healthcare settings of the future.
Pioneering Technology Integration with Epic®
A cornerstone of the Thorne Clinic’s innovation is the implementation of Epic®, the industry-leading electronic health records (EHR) system. PDS Health is the first dental support organization to fully deploy Epic across its supported practices, and this integration at Roseman marks a significant milestone in dental education.
For the first time, dental students will train using a unified EHR platform that seamlessly connects dental and medical records. This integration enables early detection of systemic health conditions—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders—that often manifest in the oral cavity. By viewing the full health picture, clinicians can develop more comprehensive, coordinated treatment plans that address both oral and overall health.
“By expanding our clinical training capacity and introducing Epic into our clinical education environment, we’re preparing future dentists to deliver truly integrated, patient-centered care,” Dr. Licari emphasized. “Our students will experience firsthand how oral health and overall health are interconnected—using the same advanced technologies found in today’s leading healthcare institutions.”
Cutting-Edge Technology Through DEXIS Partnership
Further enhancing the clinic’s educational capabilities is a substantial equipment grant from Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (DEXIS). This contribution equips the Thorne Clinic with next-generation digital imaging and diagnostic tools, including:
- Intraoral scanners
- Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems
- Digital sensors
- Portable X-ray units
These technologies support advanced training in digital workflows, 3D radiography, and precision treatment planning—ensuring that Roseman graduates are not only clinically proficient but also fluent in the AI-enabled tools defining the future of dentistry.
“Today is especially meaningful because many AI-enabled hardware and software technologies from DEXIS will be used right here in this clinic,” said Robert Befidi, President of DEXIS. “That means the students who train at the Thorne Clinic won’t just be learning dentistry—they’ll be mastering the tools and technologies that define the future of oral healthcare.”
A Model for the Future of Healthcare
Stephen E. Thorne IV echoed this forward-looking sentiment during the dedication ceremony. “The Thorne Clinic represents a bold step toward the future of healthcare,” he said. “Roseman University is creating a space where students experience how oral health and medicine work together in clinical care. Learning in an integrated setting prepares them to think differently, work more collaboratively, and deliver better outcomes for the patients they will serve.”
Indeed, the Thorne Clinic is more than a teaching facility—it is a living laboratory for the future of health professions education. By embedding principles of interprofessional collaboration, health equity, technological fluency, and patient-centered care into its curriculum, Roseman is shaping a new generation of clinicians who view the mouth not as an isolated system, but as a vital window into whole-body health.
Community Impact and Long-Term Vision
Beyond its academic mission, the Thorne Clinic is poised to make a profound impact on the Southern Nevada community. With increased capacity and a commitment to affordability, the clinic will serve a diverse patient population—including underserved and vulnerable groups—who often face barriers to accessing dental care. This aligns with Roseman University’s broader mission to improve health outcomes through education, service, and innovation.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded with guided tours of the new facility, allowing guests to witness firsthand the clinic’s modern design, advanced technology, and patient-focused layout. From natural lighting and calming aesthetics to efficient workflow and cutting-edge equipment, every detail reflects a commitment to excellence in both care and education.
As Roseman University and PDS Health look to the future, the Thorne Clinic stands as a beacon of what’s possible when vision, partnership, and purpose converge. It is not just a building—it is a promise: a promise of better health, smarter education, and a more integrated approach to healing that places the patient at the very center.
