Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental, officially known as Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI), is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) established in 1998 by Robert Fontana. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ADMI provides comprehensive business and administrative support services to a vast network of over 1,100 independently owned and operated dental practices across 46 states in the U.S. These services include marketing, operations, human resources, payroll, procurement, and real estate management, allowing the dentists to focus primarily on patient care. The core mission of Aspen Dental is to break down barriers to dental care, such as affordability and accessibility. They aim to serve individuals who might not have an existing relationship with a dental provider or face financial constraints. The company often situates its clinics in "dental deserts" or areas with a high need for dental services. Aspen Dental-branded practices offer a wide array of dental services, catering to diverse patient needs. These include general dentistry (check-ups, cleanings, fillings, root canals, tooth extractions), cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, dental bonding, clear aligners like Motto®), and restorative dentistry (dentures, dental implants, bridges). They emphasize providing personalized treatment plans and offer various financing options, including third-party lenders and their own Aspen Dental Savings Plan, to make care more affordable. While they accept most major dental insurance providers, they do not accept Medicaid. Over the years, Aspen Dental has grown significantly and is part of The Aspen Group (TAG), a larger retail healthcare business support organization that also includes ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and Lovet Pet Health Care. Aspen Dental has also been involved in community initiatives, such as the "Healthy Mouth Movement," providing free dental care to U.S. veterans and underserved populations. It's important to note that while Aspen Dental provides support, each branded practice is independently owned and operated by a licensed dentist. ADMI licenses the "Aspen Dental" brand name to these practices but does not own or operate the dental practices, nor does it directly employ or supervise the dentists providing care. Clinical decisions are the sole responsibility of the independent practice and its dentists.