Pacific Dental Services (PDS) has become the first dental support organization (DSO) to offer its full-time employees paid tuition for any degree program, according to the Irvine-based company.
The newly launched College Advancement Program—made possible in partnership with flexible education program provider InStride and Arizona State University—will cover book expenses and other associated fees, officials said.
“It’s all about finding their passion, and going after it with no restrictions,” founder and Chief Executive Stephen Thorne told the Business Journal. “If they want to get a degree in music, awesome. We’ll help them achieve it.”
Eligible employees currently include operations managers, benefits coordinators, and dental assistants; PDS will measure the pilot program’s success before extending it to other positions in the future.