The Pacific Dental Services (PDS®) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to improving overall health by improving oral health through opportunities to serve locally, nationally, and internationally, aims to raise funds to increase dental care for the special needs community with its first ever Stroll for Special Needs. This virtual 5k invites participants to run, walk, stroll or roll a 5k (3.1 miles) any time from Saturday, December 5 to Sunday, December 6 to help the PDS Foundation Dentists for Special Needs clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. The clinic helps provide high-quality oral health care for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities and their families. Nationwide, more than 52 million people in the U.S. have special needs. Unfortunately, less than 10% of dentists treat patients with disabilities because of their lack of training and the patients’ negative reactions to common dental procedures.

“With the generous support we have received for our upcoming Stroll for Special Needs, we have made significant progress in achieving our goal of $80,000 in donations for the PDS Foundation Dentists for Special Needs clinic to increase access to care for patients with special needs,” said Kyle Guerin, Director, PDS Foundation & Corporate Social Responsibility. “With the holidays around the corner, now is the time to open our hearts and make a difference by giving back.”

Individuals can register as part of a team or as an individual participant and will receive a shirt and medal as part of the $40 registration fee. The 5k can be completed on any route, including around a neighborhood, a park or an indoor track. Once completed, participants are encouraged to post a photo of their route and time on Instagram with the hashtag #Stroll4SpecialNeeds and tag @pdsfoundation. Participants with the fastest times in each age category will receive a PDS Foundation t-shirt and will be featured on the PDS Foundation’s 2020 Stroll for Special Needs Wall of Fame plaque. Additionally, the team and individual who raises the most money will have their name on a donor plaque at the Dentists for Special Needs clinic. To further increase access to dental care for the special needs community, Pacific Dental Services (PDS®) plans to continue their culture of service and match donations dollar for dollar up to $80,000.

Be part of something special by registering for the virtual event or by donating. The PDS Foundation is close to meeting their goal of $80,000 and has extended the deadline for participants to register and receive their shirt in time for the stroll to Wednesday, November 18. All proceeds support the PDS Foundation Dentists for Special Needs clinic. Sign up as a team or individual here https://donate.pdsfoundation.org/event/pds-foundation-stroll-for-special-needs-virtual-5k/e303369

To learn more about The PDS Foundation Dentists for Special Needs clinic, contact the PDS Foundation at [email protected].

The PDS Foundation encourages participants to practice social distancing and wear masks.



Provided by Anthea Davis