Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that plays a significant role in the dental healthcare landscape. Founded in 1998 by Robert Fontana, its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. Aspen Dental's core business model revolves around providing comprehensive business, administrative, and marketing support services to a vast network of independently owned and operated dental practices that bear the Aspen Dental brand. This model allows dentists to focus primarily on patient care, while Aspen Dental handles the non-clinical aspects of running a dental office, such as accounting, human resources, payroll, procurement, and real estate management. The mission of Aspen Dental, since its inception, has been to "break down barriers and bring better care to more people." This mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to quality, affordable dental care. To achieve this, Aspen Dental focuses on several key areas: Accessibility: With over 1,100 locations across more than 45 states, Aspen Dental has significantly expanded access to dental services, particularly in areas identified as "dental deserts" or regions where traditional dental practices may be less prevalent. They often offer convenient hours and accept walk-ins for emergency cases. Affordability: Aspen Dental aims to make dental care more affordable through various means, including offering flexible payment plans, working with a wide range of insurance providers, and providing their own "Aspen Dental Savings Plan" for patients without insurance. Transparency: The organization strives for transparency in pricing and treatment plans, ensuring patients understand their options and costs upfront. Aspen Dental-branded practices offer a wide array of general dentistry services, including routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and tooth extractions. In addition to general care, many locations provide specialized services such as dentures, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry (e.g., teeth whitening, veneers), oral surgery, root canal therapy, and periodontal disease treatment. They emphasize a patient-centered approach, aiming to provide care in a comfortable, honest, and judgment-free environment. Aspen Dental is part of a larger entity known as The Aspen Group (TAG), which supports multiple healthcare brands beyond just dental, including ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, and Chapter Aesthetic Studio. This diversified portfolio reflects TAG's broader vision of bringing better healthcare to more people across various specialties. Over the years, Aspen Dental has experienced substantial growth, fueled by its dental support organization model and a commitment to investing in technology and professional development for the dentists and staff within its network. They also have a "Practice Ownership Program" that enables dentists to become owners of their practices with the ongoing support of Aspen Dental's business infrastructure. The company has also engaged in community initiatives, such as the "Healthy Mouth Movement," which provides free dental care to veterans and underserved individuals. While the DSO model has faced some scrutiny in the past regarding financial incentives, Aspen Dental maintains that its focus remains on empowering independent dentists to provide high-quality care while benefiting from centralized business support and resources.