Aspen Dental

Aspen Dental is an American dental support organization (DSO) that provides comprehensive business and administrative support services to independently owned and operated dental practices that bear the "Aspen Dental" brand name. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Aspen Dental was founded in 1998 by Bob Fontana with a core mission: to break down the barriers that both patients and dentists face in accessing and providing dental care. These barriers often include affordability, transparency, and access to services. Aspen Dental's business model is designed to allow licensed dentists to focus on clinical care while the DSO handles non-clinical aspects such as marketing, operations, human resources, payroll, procurement, and real estate management. This model aims to improve efficiency and productivity for dental practices. As of recent reports, Aspen Dental supports a network of over 1,100 locations across 45 states in the United States, making it one of the largest branded networks of dental practices. The services offered by Aspen Dental-branded practices are extensive and aim to provide a wide range of dental solutions under one roof. These include, but are not limited to, general dentistry (exams, cleanings, fillings), cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers), restorative dentistry (crowns, bridges, dentures), dental implants, oral surgery (including tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal), and orthodontics (such as Invisalign). They often emphasize affordability, offering various financing options and savings plans to make dental care more accessible to patients, particularly those who may not have a regular relationship with traditional dentistry practices or face financial barriers. Aspen Dental is part of The Aspen Group (TAG), which has expanded its portfolio beyond dental services to include other healthcare support companies like ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, and Chapter Aesthetic Studio. This broader group shares the overarching goal of bringing better healthcare to more people. Over the years, Aspen Dental has launched initiatives like the "Healthy Mouth Movement," providing free dental care to U.S. veterans and underserved populations. They also operate the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence, which treats underserved patients and serves as a training facility for their teams. While the company has faced some scrutiny regarding its business practices in the past, its stated commitment remains focused on delivering quality, affordable dental care in a compassionate and judgment-free environment.