SpectRUm – Roseman University Dedicates the Thorne Clinic for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care
Roseman University has marked a transformative milestone in its commitment to advancing integrative healthcare and dental education. On October 17, leaders from Roseman University and PDS Health gathered alongside elected officials, business and community leaders, and members of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the dedication and ribbon-cutting of The Thorne Clinic for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care at Roseman’s Henderson campus.
The new 12,000-square-foot teaching clinic, located at 4 Sunset Way, Building A, features 35 dental chairs and sits adjacent to Roseman’s existing dental and orthodontic clinics. Together, the facilities now encompass 17,300 square feet of clinical space and 62 chairs—expanding Roseman’s capacity to serve up to 50,000 patient visits annually when fully utilized.
The Thorne Clinic is named in honor of Stephen E. Thorne IV, founder and CEO of PDS Health, whose vision and philanthropic investment made the facility possible. PDS Health fully funded the clinic’s design, construction, and equipment, donating both material and expertise to bring the project to life at no cost to Roseman University. The gift included the installation of 35 fully equipped dental chairs, cutting-edge digital and computer systems, and the engagement of PDS Health’s construction and design teams to ensure a state-of-the-art, patient-centered environment.
The result is a modern clinical education center that represents the next step in Roseman’s evolution as a leader in health sciences education—one that bridges oral health, primary care, and overall well-being.
of Dental Medicine
“Today’s dedication 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 for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care not only expands access to affordable, high-quality dental care for our community 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 oral health and primary care.”
“The Thorne Clinic for Integrative Oral Health and Primary Care represents a bold step toward the future of healthcare,” said Stephen Thorne.
founder and CEO of PDS Health
“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.”
Beginning in January 2026, The Thorne Clinic will serve as a clinical education site for students enrolled in Roseman’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. Dental students from the University’s South Jordan, Utah campus will relocate to Henderson to complete their clinical and didactic training, providing supervised patient care under the guidance of Roseman faculty.
As the clinic reaches full capacity in the coming years, it is expected to host a steady rotation of students, faculty, and patients, providing hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting.
The partnership between Roseman University and PDS Health also marks a significant technological advancement in the university’s clinical education environment: the implementation of Epic, a leading electronic health records (EHR) system used by major hospitals and healthcare organizations worldwide. PDS Health was the first dental support organization in the nation to fully deploy Epic across its supported practices, creating an integrated system that connects dental and medical data.
With Epic in place, Roseman’s dental students and faculty will be able to view both oral and systemic health information within a single patient record. This innovation allows for early identification of systemic health risks, improved treatment planning, and a more holistic approach to patient care to bridge the gap between dentistry and medicine.
“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,” said Licari. “This collaboration allows our students to experience firsthand how oral health and overall health are connected, while using the same advanced technologies and systems found in today’s leading healthcare institutions.”
In addition to the contributions from PDS Health, The Thorne Clinic’s educational capabilities were further enhanced through a grant from Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (DEXIS). The grant supports the clinic with the latest in digital imaging and diagnostic technology, including intraoral scanners, CBCT technology, sensors, and portable x-ray units. These tools enable students to train on advanced digital workflows and treatment planning systems, preparing them to enter practice with fluency in modern diagnostic technologies.
Speaking at the event, DEXIS President Robert Befidi said, “Today is especially meaningful because many AI-enabled hardware and software technologies from DEXIS will be used right here in this clinic. 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.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests toured the new facility, gaining a firsthand look at how The Thorne Clinic embodies Roseman University’s mission to advance the health and wellness of the community through education, research, and compassionate care.
The dedication of The Thorne Clinic represents more than the opening of a new building. It signifies a shared commitment between Roseman University and PDS Health to reimagine healthcare delivery and education by bridging the long-standing divide between dental and medical care.
Through partnerships like this, Roseman continues to lead the way in creating educational environments that prepare students for the future of healthcare, where collaboration across disciplines and technologies leads to better patient outcomes and healthier communities.