Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is a prominent American dental support organization (DSO) that provides comprehensive business and administrative services to a vast network of independently owned and operated dental practices across the United States. Founded in 1998 by Bob Fontana in New York, the organization's core mission is to improve access to quality dental care by addressing common barriers such as affordability, transparency, and geographical limitations. History and Growth: Aspen Dental originated from a merger in 1998 between East Coast Dental, founded by Robert Fontana, and Upstate Dental. By 2000, it had expanded to 33 locations across several Northeastern states. Significant growth followed, fueled by strategic investments from private equity firms, including Ares Management and Leonard Green & Partners. In 2004, Aspen Dental launched its Practice Ownership Program (POP), empowering dentists to become practice owners while receiving non-clinical support. This program has been a cornerstone of its expansion, with the number of practice owners within the Aspen Dental network more than doubling in the last decade. In 2018, the corporate headquarters relocated from Syracuse, New York, to Chicago, Illinois. By 2021, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. rebranded its parent company as The Aspen Group (TAG), signifying its expansion beyond dental care into other healthcare sectors like urgent care, medical aesthetics (Chapter Aesthetic Studio), and veterinary care (Lovet Pet Health Care). Today, TAG supports over 1,300 health and wellness offices across 46 states, serving millions of patients annually. Services and Patient Focus: Aspen Dental-supported practices offer a wide range of dental services, including: General Dentistry: Routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and preventative care. Emergency Dental Care: Prompt appointments for toothaches, broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and other urgent dental issues. Restorative Dentistry: Dentures (including immediate and implant-supported options), dental implants, crowns, and bridges. Cosmetic Dentistry: Teeth whitening, veneers, and clear aligners (including their proprietary Motto® brand). Oral Surgery: Including tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal. Periodontal Disease Treatment: For gum health concerns. A key aspect of Aspen Dental's approach is its focus on patient accessibility and affordability. They often locate practices in "dental deserts" or areas with underserved populations. They strive to make care accessible through flexible scheduling, including walk-in and same-day emergency appointments, and offer various financing options, including third-party lenders, CareCredit, Afterpay, and their own Aspen Dental Savings Plan. Operational Model: Aspen Dental operates as a Dental Support Organization (DSO). This means that while individual Aspen Dental practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists, Aspen Dental (or its parent company, TAG) provides a comprehensive suite of non-clinical business support services. These services include: Accounting and bookkeeping Advertising and marketing Human resources and personnel recruiting Payroll administration Regulatory compliance Procurement of equipment and supplies Real estate management and leasing Installation of patient interface platforms Dental laboratory services for manufacturing prosthetics This model allows dentists to concentrate primarily on patient care while the business and administrative aspects are handled by the support organization. Community Engagement and Mission: Aspen Dental is committed to giving back to the community. Their "Healthy Mouth Movement" offers free dental care, particularly to veterans and underserved individuals. They aim to break down barriers to care and improve people's lives through better oral health. Their core values emphasize compassion, respect, and providing a judgment-free environment for patients.