Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that facilitates the operations of numerous independently owned dental practices across the United States, all operating under the "Aspen Dental" brand. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company was founded in 1998 by Robert Fontana with a core mission to improve access to quality, affordable dental care for a wider population. Aspen Dental's business model is centered on providing extensive non-clinical support services to dentists, allowing them to focus primarily on patient care. These services typically include marketing, scheduling, human resources, accounting, procurement, and real estate management. This DSO model is increasingly common in the dental industry, as it aims to streamline administrative burdens for practitioners and leverage economies of scale. While the practices themselves are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) licenses the brand name and provides the overarching support framework. The services offered at Aspen Dental-branded locations are comprehensive, designed to meet a broad spectrum of patient needs. These include general dentistry (e.g., check-ups, cleanings, fillings), cosmetic dentistry (e.g., teeth whitening, veneers, clear aligners like Motto®), restorative dentistry (e.g., crowns, bridges, dentures, dental implants), oral surgery (e.g., extractions, wisdom teeth removal), and emergency dental care. Aspen Dental aims to make these services accessible by offering flexible appointment scheduling, accepting most insurance plans, and providing various financing options and a savings plan for those without insurance. Aspen Dental is part of The Aspen Group (TAG), a larger healthcare support organization that also includes other healthcare brands like ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers and WellNow Urgent Care. With over 1,100 Aspen Dental locations nationwide, the company has a significant market presence and focuses on reaching individuals who may not have a regular relationship with traditional dental practices or who face financial barriers to care. They often locate practices in "dental deserts" or underserved regions. Aspen Dental has also engaged in various community initiatives, such as the "Healthy Mouth Movement" and "Day of Service," which provide free dental care to U.S. veterans and underserved populations. The company emphasizes continuous education and development for its network of dentists, offering training programs and a "Practice Ownership Program" that enables dentists to become practice owners.