Irvine, Calif.-based Pacific Dental Services plans to surpass 1,000 by the end of 2023, according to CEO and Founder Stephen Thorne IV.

The DSO has opened more than a dozen practices so far this year and currently has 940 locations in the U.S.

Mr. Thorne recently spoke with Becker’s about the company’s growth and what the DSO has planned for the rest of the year.

Question: How would you describe Pacific Dental Services’ growth this year?

Stephen Thorne IV: I normally try to stay humble, but I have to say, this year has been phenomenal for PDS. It’s been the best year in the history of the company, and that’s saying a lot after almost 30 years of business. Patient demand is strong. We’re having the highest number of opportunities per clinician per day. Although we are still experiencing a shortage of dental assistants, dental hygienists, and to some extent, dentists, our overall workforce has significantly improved compared to where we were a year ago.