Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent dental support organization (DSO) that plays a crucial role in the dental industry by providing comprehensive business and administrative support to a vast network of independently owned and operated Aspen Dental practices. Founded in 1998 by Bob Fontana, its headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. Aspen Dental is part of The Aspen Group (TAG), a larger entity that operates over 1,100 locations across various healthcare support companies, including ClearChoice®, WellNow®, and Chapter℠. Mission and Philosophy: The core mission of Aspen Dental, since its inception, has been to break down the barriers that prevent people from receiving quality dental care. This includes addressing issues of affordability, accessibility, and transparency. The company strives to make dental services more convenient and affordable for everyone, operating under a patient-centered approach. Dentists within the Aspen Dental network make independent clinical decisions based on individual patient needs, while the DSO handles the non-clinical aspects of the business, such as marketing, scheduling, and administrative tasks. This model empowers dentists to focus primarily on delivering excellent clinical care. Aspen Dental emphasizes creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment where every patient feels respected and cared for. Services Offered: Aspen Dental offices offer a wide range of dental services, catering to diverse patient needs. These services typically include: General Dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings) Emergency Dental Care Dentures (new, repairs, relines) Dental Implants Oral Surgery (including tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal) Cosmetic Dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers) Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Periodontal Disease Treatment Clear Aligners (e.g., Motto clear aligners) Many locations also offer flexible payment plans and a savings plan to help make care more affordable for patients, including those without insurance. Reach and Impact: Aspen Dental has a significant national footprint, with over 1,100 locations across 45 states. The organization prides itself on improving access to dental care on a large scale, serving millions of patients annually. The growth strategy has primarily focused on opening new offices rather than acquiring existing practices, demonstrating a commitment to building its network from the ground up. Community Involvement: Beyond its commercial operations, Aspen Dental is actively involved in community giving initiatives. A notable program is the "Healthy Mouth Movement," launched in 2014, which provides free dental care and oral health education to underserved populations, particularly military veterans. Through events like the annual "Day of Service," Aspen Dental dentists and teams volunteer their time to offer free dental services to veterans and their spouses, addressing urgent oral care needs and breaking down financial and access barriers. As of recent reports, these initiatives have resulted in millions of dollars in donated dental services. Innovation and Technology: Aspen Dental continuously invests in advanced dental technology and continuous education for its teams to provide enhanced diagnosis and treatment options. This commitment to innovation aims to streamline the patient experience and deliver less invasive and more effective treatments. The company also supports a "Practice Ownership Program" (POP), which empowers dentists to become business owners within the Aspen Dental network, providing them with structured pathways to ownership and support for non-clinical aspects. Parent Company (The Aspen Group - TAG): In 2021, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. rebranded its parent company as TAG – The Aspen Group. This rebranding reflected the company's expansion beyond just dental services into other healthcare areas like dental implants (ClearChoice®), urgent care (WellNow®), and medical aesthetics (Chapter℠). TAG's overarching goal is to bring better healthcare to more people by leveraging its proven support model across various health segments.