Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that provides comprehensive business, administrative, and marketing support services to a vast network of independently owned and operated dental practices across the United States. Founded in 1998 by Robert Fontana, its mission is to break down barriers to dental care, making it more accessible and affordable for a wide range of patients, particularly those who may not have a regular dental provider or face financial hurdles. While each Aspen Dental location is independently owned by licensed dentists, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (now part of The Aspen Group, or TAG) handles the non-clinical aspects of the business, such as marketing, staffing, patient billing, and insurance negotiations. This DSO model allows dentists to focus primarily on patient care, while benefiting from the economies of scale, training programs, and extensive network support provided by the larger organization. Aspen Dental offers a wide array of dental services, including general dentistry, emergency dental care (often with walk-in or same-day appointments), tooth extractions, root canals, dental crowns, bridges, and a strong focus on dentures and dental implants. They also offer clear aligner products under their "Motto" brand. The company emphasizes transparency in pricing and offers various financing options and a savings plan to help patients manage costs. Aspen Dental has a significant national presence, with over 1,100 locations in 45 states, serving millions of patients annually. They are also known for their community outreach initiatives, such as the "Healthy Mouth Movement," which provides free dental care to U.S. veterans and underserved populations. While the DSO model has faced scrutiny in the past, Aspen Dental maintains that its focus is on high-quality patient care and empowering dentists through its practice ownership program.