Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that empowers independently owned and operated dental practices across the United States. Founded in 1994, with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Aspen Dental operates under The Aspen Group (TAG), a larger healthcare support organization that also includes brands like ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers and WellNow Urgent Care. The core mission of Aspen Dental is to break down barriers to quality dental care, focusing on accessibility, affordability, and transparency. They aim to serve individuals who may not have a regular relationship with traditional dentistry practices or face financial hurdles in accessing care. To achieve this, Aspen Dental provides comprehensive administrative and business support services to its branded practices, allowing dentists to focus primarily on patient care. These support services include marketing, operations, human resources, payroll administration, real estate management, procurement, and patient interface platforms. Aspen Dental-branded practices offer a wide array of dental services, catering to diverse patient needs. These services typically include: General Dentistry: Routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and preventative care. Dentures: A specialty for Aspen Dental, offering various types of dentures and related services like repairs and relines. Dental Implants: Solutions for missing teeth, including single implants and full-mouth implant options. Emergency Dental Care: Prompt treatment for toothaches, broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and other urgent dental issues, often accommodating walk-ins or same-day appointments. Oral Surgery: Including tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal. Cosmetic Dentistry: Such as teeth whitening and clear aligners (e.g., Motto clear aligners). Periodontal Disease Treatment: Addressing gum health concerns. A key aspect of the Aspen Dental patient experience is their emphasis on making care affordable and accessible. They work with various insurance providers and offer flexible financing options, including third-party lenders (with a high approval rate for patients) and their own Aspen Dental Savings Plan. They also accept popular digital payment methods like Afterpay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Beyond their commercial operations, Aspen Dental is committed to community outreach and social responsibility. Notably, they launched the "Healthy Mouth Movement" in 2014, providing free dental care to U.S. veterans and individuals in need. This initiative, along with their annual Day of Service and Overseas Outreach Program, demonstrates their dedication to improving oral health beyond their regular patient base. They also operate the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence, which provides free treatment to underserved patients and offers training facilities for their team members. With over 900 locations nationwide, Aspen Dental has significantly expanded access to dental care, often establishing practices in areas identified as "dental deserts" where dental providers are scarce. This widespread presence, coupled with their patient-centric approach and comprehensive service offerings, positions Aspen Dental as a leading force in the corporate dentistry landscape, continuously working to innovate and improve the delivery of dental healthcare.