Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that was founded in 1998 by Robert Fontana. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Aspen Dental provides comprehensive business and administrative support services to a vast network of independently owned and operated dental practices across 46 states in the United States, with over 1,100 branded locations. Aspen Dental's core mission is to improve access to quality dental care for millions of Americans, particularly those who may lack a regular dental provider or face financial and other barriers to receiving treatment. They strive to achieve this by offering a wide range of services under one roof, including general dentistry, emergency dental care, preventative care, and specialized treatments such as oral surgery, endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum disease treatment), and orthodontics (including Motto™ clear aligners). The organization emphasizes patient-friendly programs and services, such as personalized treatment plans, acceptance of various insurance providers (and handling paperwork), free new-patient exams and X-rays for uninsured patients, and flexible payment and financing options. Aspen Dental practices are known for their convenient hours, including evenings and select Saturdays, and welcoming walk-in and emergency patients. While Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) provides the non-clinical support, the dental practices themselves are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists who maintain clinical autonomy. This model is part of the broader "corporate dentistry" trend where DSOs handle the business aspects, allowing dentists to focus primarily on patient care. Aspen Dental is a subsidiary of The Aspen Group (TAG), a larger retail healthcare business support organization that has expanded beyond dental care into urgent care and other healthcare sectors. This expansion reflects their overarching vision to bring better healthcare to more people by empowering healthcare providers. Aspen Dental also has initiatives like the "Healthy Mouth Movement," which provides free dental care to veterans and those in need.