Aspen Dental
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dental support organization |
| Founded | 1998 in East Syracuse, New York, United States |
| Founder | Robert Fontana |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Robert Fontana (CEO) |
| Products | Dental support services |
| Parent | The Aspen Group (TAG) |
Aspen Dental (Aspen Dental Management, Inc.) operates as a dental support organization within the United States, overseeing dental practices that carry the Aspen Dental brand. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the organization supports close to 1,100 independently owned dental offices throughout the country. Its primary mission is to serve populations facing financial challenges or limited access to dental care.
Founding and Early Development
Established in 1998 in East Syracuse, NY, Aspen Dental emerged from the consolidation of East Coast Dental, founded by CEO Robert Fontana, and Upstate Dental, a company Fontana departed from in 1997. By the year 2000, Aspen Dental had expanded to 33 locations across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, introducing chain-store operational methods into the dental industry.
Growth and Recent Developments (2006–Present)
The private equity firm Ares Management acquired Aspen Dental in 2006 when the company operated 87 offices in seven states. By 2010, Aspen Dental had become a significant entity within the U.S. dental sector, attracting acquisition interest from firms such as Leonard Green & Partners, which purchased it for an estimated $500 million.
From 2010 through 2015, Aspen Dental resolved consumer protection cases in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts by reimbursing former patients and cooperating with state investigations, all without admitting fault. A 2012 PBS Frontline report raised concerns about Aspen’s business practices, highlighting aggressive promotion of discounted services followed by allegations of overcharging or unnecessary procedures.
A class-action lawsuit filed in 2015 accused Aspen Dental of unlawful ownership of dental practices and misleading patients; however, the US District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed the case. That year also saw a recapitalization led by an affiliate of private equity firm American Securities, collaborating with Ares Management, Leonard Green & Partners, and existing leadership.
In December 2020, lawsuits surfaced regarding claims of concealed cameras at one Illinois location. The company moved its headquarters to Chicago's Fulton Market District in October 2021 as part of its strategic expansion. Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit concerning anesthesia use at a Cedar Park office was filed in May 2022 and subsequently settled out of court by January 2023.
Operations
Aspen Dental Management Inc. acts as a dental support organization by delivering marketing, operational support, and training services to independently owned practices operating under the Aspen Dental brand. The Aspen Group (TAG) functions as its parent company.
In 2014, Aspen Dental initiated the Healthy Mouth Movement to provide free dental care specifically for veterans. By 2019, this program had aided more than 22,000 veterans and underserved individuals through volunteer-driven efforts.
Focusing on populations with limited regular dental access, Aspen Dental strategically locates many offices within dental deserts—regions characterized by a shortage of dental providers—addressing critical gaps in oral healthcare availability.
See also
- All Smiles Dental Centers
- Kool Smiles
- ReachOut Healthcare America
- Small Smiles Dental Centers
- Smile Starters
- Sun Orthodontix
- ZocDoc
External links
- Dental companies in the United States
- Health care firms founded in 1998
- Companies located in Onondaga County, New York
- 1998 establishments in New York (state)
- DeWitt, New York
- Mergers and acquisitions in 2010
- Health care organizations based in New York (state)
- American businesses established in 1998
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
- American companies established in 1998