Aspen Dental® Celebrates 20 Years of its Practice Ownership Program

DSO Spotlight

Aspen Dental is celebrating a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of its Practice Ownership Program (POP), a pioneering model that empowers dentists to become successful business owners. The program provides clinicians with a structured, clear path to practice ownership and an opportunity to build equity in their own practice with the backing of a team of experts to support the non-clinical aspects of the business.

“Looking back, the decision to launch the Practice Ownership Program back in 2004 was the single most important decision we’ve made in the history of the business,” said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of TAG – The Aspen Group. “We knew early on that in order to grow Aspen Dental into a national platform, we needed to create a model that fundamentally met the needs of the providers whose practices we support, with an ownership program that enabled them to achieve their long-term career goals. Watching hundreds of dentists grow from associates to single-practice owners, and eventually multi-practice owners, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.”

Deep Roots in Mentorship and Empowerment

The number of practice owners within the Aspen Dental network has more than doubled over the past decade. Today, there are 277 Aspen Dental practice owners and 137 partners. In 2014, the 10th anniversary of the program, there were just 85 practice owners and 14 partners.

As pictured on the left, 20 years ago Dr. Iswara Parvathaneni celebrated the opening of his first practice with Chairman and CEO Bob Fontana as one of the first doctors in Aspen Dental’s Practice Ownership Program (POP) – a trailblazing initiative empowering dentists to become successful business owners. Fast forward to 2024, and Dr. Parvathaneni owns seven dental practices.

“Twenty years ago, when Bob approached me about being one of the first dentists to take the leap into practice ownership with Aspen Dental, I never could have imagined the journey it would take me on,” reflected Dr. Iswara Parvathaneni, who, together with his dentist partners, owns seven Aspen Dental locations in the Finger Lakes region and Western New York.

Continued Dr. Parvathaneni, “It’s been an immensely successful decision. The model has enabled me and hundreds of dentists just like me to not just own our own practice but do it with the support of a team of experts backing us up every single day with non-clinical support services. I get to do what I love – focus on clinical care – while a support team takes care of the administrative things I don’t like to do. I’m so grateful for the support and vision the program provided to me, and I’m proud of how it’s shaped the next generation of dentists.”

POV: New Practice Owners 

Practice Owners also serve as mentors for the next generation of dental professionals, guiding them on their own journey to ownership. At its annual Leadership Retreat this year, Aspen Dental celebrated the 20th anniversary of the program by showcasing letters written by mentees to the practice owners who mentored them.

To express their gratitude to their practice owners, these dentists with Aspen Dental shared heartfelt letters to those who have guided, encouraged, and supported them throughout their journeys. Their stories reflect the strong culture of mentorship, growth, and commitment to excellence that lies at the heart of the organization.

“You have an extraordinary gift for embracing each doctor’s unique strengths and helping both the doctors and the business thrive,” wrote Dr. Neelam Attri in a letter to her mentor and partner, Dr. Shekhar Gupta. “The autonomy you gave me as an associate and then as a managing clinical director led me to become one of your partner doctors. After 12 years as partners, I can confidently say that our bond has only grown stronger.”

“You’ve taken me under your wing, and in doing so, you’ve shown me the kind of leadership that isn’t just about guiding a practice—it’s about nurturing a community, building lasting relationships, and striving for excellence,” wrote Dr. Tirzah Elliot in a letter to her mentor, Dr. Jere Gillan. “Over the years, you’ve done more than just help me advance my clinical expertise or navigate the complexities of practice ownership. You’ve been a true mentor, offering support that has had a profound impact on both my professional and personal life.”

This groundbreaking initiative provides a clear, structured path to practice ownership with the backing of expert teams to support the non-clinical aspects of the business, so doctors can focus on what matters most—patient care.

Other Trailblazing Initiatives

The DSO began a quarter century ago. As a part of its 25th anniversary, Aspen Dental has launched a new integrated recruitment marketing campaign to highlight the investments it makes in its clinicians. Learn more HERE.

At The Aspen Group, women are the norm rather than the exception – in corporate and leadership roles as well as in the various healthcare practices that TAG supports. At Aspen Dental, an impressive 79% of the clinical workforce is composed of women, showcasing their significant presence and influence. Learn more HERE.

Path to Ownership

Aspen Dental’s commitment to doctors, their professional growth, and the communities they serve is at the heart of the Practice Ownership Program’s success. As it celebrates 20 years, Aspen Dental looks forward to continuing to empower dentists to take ownership of their careers and provide care to patients across the nation.

For more information about the Practice Ownership Program or to start your journey with Aspen Dental, visit careers.aspendental.com.

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SOURCE Aspen Dental®