Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is an American dental support organization (DSO) that provides business and administrative services to a network of independently owned and operated dental practices. Founded in 1998 by Bob Fontana, the company's headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. As a DSO, Aspen Dental's business model is to handle the non-clinical aspects of a dental practice—such as marketing, accounting, human resources, and technology—allowing dentists to focus on patient care. The organization's goal is to improve access to dental services, targeting individuals who may not have a regular dentist or who face financial challenges. Aspen Dental's network consists of over 1,100 branded locations across the United States. These clinics offer a comprehensive array of dental services, including general check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, crowns, bridges, and dentures. A notable feature is their focus on dentures, which are often fabricated on-site. The company also promotes its "Healthy Mouth Movement," a community giving initiative that provides free dental care to underserved populations, including veterans. Aspen Dental is a subsidiary of The Aspen Group (TAG), which has expanded its business model to support other healthcare brands beyond dentistry, such as urgent care and medical aesthetics. This expansion leverages the successful business support platform developed for Aspen Dental to create a broader consumer healthcare platform. While each Aspen Dental practice is independently owned by a licensed dentist who makes all clinical decisions, the brand provides a standardized patient experience, making care more accessible and transparent. The company also offers its own savings plan for patients without dental insurance to help make care more affordable.