Aspen Dental, officially known as Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI), is a prominent American
dental support organization (DSO) that provides comprehensive business and administrative support services to a vast network of independently owned and operated dental practices. Founded in 1998, Aspen Dental has grown to be one of the largest and most widespread dental service providers in the United States, with over 1,100 locations across numerous states.
Their core mission revolves around increasing access to quality, affordable
dental care for a broad spectrum of patients, particularly those who may face financial or logistical barriers to traditional
dental services. Aspen Dental achieves this by allowing dentists to focus on clinical care while providing them with robust support in areas such as marketing, operations, human resources, payroll, regulatory compliance, and procurement. This model aims to enhance efficiency and enable dentists to deliver patient-centered care.
Aspen Dental offers a comprehensive suite of dental services, catering to a wide range of
oral health needs. These services typically include general dentistry (check-ups, cleanings,
fillings), restorative procedures (
crowns, bridges), cosmetic dentistry (
teeth whitening), and specialized treatments such as
dentures (including full, partial, and implant-supported options),
dental implants, clear aligners (like Motto®), oral surgery (extractions, wisdom teeth removal), and endodontic treatments (root canals). They also emphasize accessibility for
emergency dental care, addressing urgent issues like severe toothaches, broken teeth, and gum bleeding.
A significant aspect of Aspen Dental's business model is its Practice Ownership Program (POP), which empowers dentists to become business owners of their own practices within the Aspen Dental network. This program provides a structured path to ownership, offering support and resources for dentists to manage the non-clinical aspects of their practices while maintaining clinical autonomy. This approach aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit among dental professionals and attract talent.
While Aspen Dental has expanded significantly and serves a large patient base, like any large healthcare provider, it has also faced scrutiny and varying patient reviews, with some praising their accessibility and services, and others raising concerns about billing and treatment recommendations. Despite this, Aspen Dental remains a major player in the dental industry, continuously working to broaden access to dental care and support its network of dentists.
