Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is an American dental support organization (DSO) that was founded in 1998 in East Syracuse, NY. It operates as a subsidiary of The Aspen Group (TAG), a multi-vertical retail healthcare support organization. Aspen Dental's core mission is to provide comprehensive business and administrative support services to independently owned and operated dental practices that bear the Aspen Dental brand. This model allows dentists to focus on patient care while the DSO handles aspects like marketing, human resources, payroll, real estate management, and procurement of supplies. With its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Aspen Dental has grown significantly since its inception, now supporting over 1,000 independently owned dental offices across 46 states in the United States. The organization is dedicated to increasing access to quality, affordable Dental care, particularly for individuals who may face financial or other barriers to receiving treatment or who do not have an existing relationship with a dental provider. Many Aspen Dental practices are strategically located in areas identified as "dental deserts," where there is a high need for dental providers. Aspen dental clinics offer a wide array of dental services, catering to a broad spectrum of patient needs. These services typically include general dentistry such as comprehensive exams, digital X-rays, cleanings, fillings, and oral cancer screenings. Beyond general care, they also provide specialized treatments like dentures (with an on-site lab for quick turnaround), dental implants, crowns, bridges, root canals (endodontics), and oral surgery (including extractions and wisdom teeth removal). They also offer solutions for teeth straightening, such as Motto® clear aligners. Emergency dental care is a key focus, with clinics often accommodating walk-ins and extended hours for urgent needs. Aspen Dental strives to make dental care affordable and accessible by working with most insurance providers, offering free new-patient exams and X-rays for those without insurance, and providing various flexible financing options through third-party lenders. They are also known for community initiatives like the "Healthy Mouth Movement," which provides free dental services to underserved populations, including veterans. While the practices are independently owned, they operate with clinical autonomy, and the dentists make independent decisions regarding patient treatment plans.