Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental, officially known as Aspen Dental Management, Inc., is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) founded in 1998. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Aspen Dental operates a vast network of over 1,100 independently owned and operated dental offices across the United States. While individual dentists own and maintain clinical autonomy over their practices, Aspen Dental provides comprehensive non-clinical support services, including marketing, operations, training, and technological infrastructure. This model allows dentists to focus primarily on patient care while benefiting from the scale and resources of a large organization. Aspen Dental's mission is to break down barriers to dental care, making it more accessible and affordable for a broad patient base, particularly those who may lack a regular dental provider or face financial constraints. They offer a wide array of general and specialized dental services, including: General Dentistry: Routine check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and treatment for gum disease. Restorative Dentistry: crowns, bridges, and root canal therapy. Prosthodontics: Various types of dentures (full, partial, implant-supported), including an on-site denture lab at most locations for efficient repair and relining. Oral Surgery: Tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement. Orthodontics: clear aligners (Motto™ Clear Aligners) for teeth straightening. emergency dental care: Prompt attention for toothaches, broken teeth, loosened or knocked-out teeth, and bleeding gums. Aspen Dental aims to make dental care financially manageable by working with most major dental insurance providers, offering flexible financing options through third-party lenders, and providing their own "Aspen Dental Savings Plan" as an alternative to traditional insurance. They do not currently accept Medicaid. Beyond clinical services, Aspen Dental is also known for its "Healthy Mouth Movement," a community initiative that provides free dental care to underserved populations, including veterans. Their business model also includes a "Practice Ownership Program," which offers a structured path for dentists to become practice owners with ongoing support for the business aspects of their clinics. This approach emphasizes professional growth and empowers dentists within their network.