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How Women at The Aspen Group Are Shaping the Future of Dental Care
Dentistry has long been a male-dominated industry, with men making up 65% of dentists within the U.S. However, recent years have seen a remarkable change as more women enter the field. From 2001 to 2023, women in dentistry rose from 16% to 38%, and per the ADA Health Policy Institute, 2021 marked the year that women outnumbered men graduating from dental school. As more women assume leadership positions and drive innovations in dental research and practice, the industry is poised to gain from a more varied pool of professionals.
The increasing presence of women in dentistry is not just a shift in statistics; it is fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment while also bringing in diverse perspectives and approaches to patient care. As these trends continue, the dental profession is set to become more reflective of the diverse society it serves, benefiting both practitioners and patients alike.
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. Similarly, at ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, nearly half of the prosthodontists in the network are women, highlighting the strides made in gender parity within specialized fields.
Further, The Aspen Group actively champions women in Dental Support Organization (DSO) leadership roles, which have traditionally been dominated by men. This commitment to gender parity at all levels of the organization not only promotes equality but also brings a variety of perspectives and ideas that drive innovation and growth.
Meet the trailblazing women of The Aspen Group who are breaking down barriers and shattering ceilings in the dental industry.
Rahma Samow, President and CEO, ClearChoice Management Services
Rahma Samow joined ClearChoice Management Services in 2023 as President and CEO of the leading provider of fixed full-arch dental implant therapy in the United States. As one of the first women of color to lead a Dental Support Organization (DSO), Rahma is deeply committed to building high-performing, diverse teams and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
“From an early age, my mother instilled in me the values of feminism and the belief that diversity is a strength—a lesson that has shaped both my life and career. As a leader, I understand that creating real change requires more than just words; it demands a genuine commitment to building the structures and social frameworks that make equality possible. Every day, I wake up with this responsibility in mind, working to make ClearChoice a place where everyone—regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or background—can thrive in their careers.”
Rahma is no stranger to earning a seat at the table in a male-dominated industry. Prior to joining ClearChoice, she had a 15-year career in the medical device and digital health sector at Siemens Healthineers. There, she held the position of Senior Vice President, Global Head of Marketing, Sales & Communications for Digital Health Services, with a global presence spanning across the U.S., Germany, the Middle East, and Africa. In this role, she successfully navigated diverse cultures and norms, supporting countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iraq. Her resilience and tenacity in overcoming challenges ultimately led her to Straumann Group, where she became a member of the executive board and Global Head of the DSO business unit.
Marcelle Parrish, Chief Commercial Officer, ClearChoice Management Services, Chief Digital Officer, The Aspen Group
Marcelle Parrish is responsible for developing innovative strategies to deliver business results across The Aspen Group family of brands and reimagine patient experiences. A Kansas City native, she graduated from Southern Methodist University and attended George Washington University for her MBA. Upon graduating, Marcelle embarked on a 25+ year career holding major digital and brand leadership positions at global retail and direct-to-consumer organizations including Johnson & Johnson, eBay, and Ralph Lauren.
For Marcelle, being a trailblazer for women in dentistry and DSOs means paving the way for future generations, breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and demonstrating that women are capable of excelling in this field and beyond.
“As women, we have a responsibility to mentor and support other women full stop. We should share our experiences, provide guidance, and advocate for their career goals. I believe that by empowering others, we can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. Women bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving skills to male-dominated industries. Their presence at the table is crucial for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and creating a more balanced and diverse workplace.”
Marcelle truly embraces the DSO model as a place that offers women a unique opportunity to build fulfilling careers. DSOs provide a supportive environment, access to resources, and opportunities for ongoing training and professional growth. DSOs also allow women to balance their personal and professional lives in a way that isn’t quite as possible in private practice.
Theresa Wang, DDS, MS, Chief Clinical & Development Officer, ClearChoice Management Services
Dr. Theresa Wang is among the most esteemed practitioners and experts in the field of prosthodontics. Her role within ClearChoice Management Services requires her to lead a team of clinical experts, in partnership with the leading product vendors in the industry, to drive research and innovation that informs the new dental technology to hit the market and best patient practices.
“As a woman in dentistry, I feel a deep responsibility to contribute to the advancement of my female colleagues. My career journey has been diverse, encompassing roles from associate to practice owner and clinical advisor to a DSO. This experience has provided me with a unique perspective that I believe can be valuable to aspiring female dentists. I am committed to mentoring others, offering guidance, and fostering a supportive environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Dr. Wang has extensive training with the latest dental technologies and dental materials, however, it is the human side of dentistry and the life-changing transformations for patients that fuels her passion. Dr. Wang currently lectures as an adjunct assistant professor and is an active member of the American College of Prosthodontists, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Society, Illinois State Dental Society, and Chicago Dental Society. Dr. Wang serves as a member of the Dean’s Strategic Advisory Board for both the UIC College of Dentistry and the VCU School of Dentistry.
Lori D’Anna, President of Field Operations, Aspen Dental
As President of Field Operations for Aspen Dental, Lori D’Anna is focused on driving exceptional results through operational excellence, fueled by a mindset that’s always been guided by one simple word: Yes.
Her journey with Aspen Dental predates the company itself – she was hired by Bob Fontana, Founder and CEO of The Aspen Group (TAG), more than 25 years ago as a Patient Services Representative, greeting patients, verifying insurance eligibility, and ensuring that the office ran smoothly.
It was that initial experience that sparked Lori’s passion for breaking down barriers to help patients get the care they need – and kicked off an incredible career. She soaked up everything there was to know about running a dental practice, and soon began working her way through the Aspen Dental ranks before switching gears and heading back to school to become a registered dental hygienist (RDH), an experience that gave her firsthand experience with the clinical side of the business, too.
That blend of clinical and operations experience helped turbocharge Lori’s career through the leadership ranks at Aspen Dental. And yet she’s never defined herself as a “woman in leadership” – she’s a leader, period, and has always felt a deep sense of responsibility for the success of the providers that she supports.
“For me, leadership has never been about gender, but rather building credibility and trust with the people around me,” said Lori. “That same philosophy underpins how I’ve built my team — it’s about finding great talent, inspiring them to be as passionate about our purpose as I am, and empowering them to deliver great experiences for team members and patients alike.”
Lauren McDonough, DMD, Vice President of Practice Owner Development, Aspen Dental
Before joining Aspen Dental’s clinical support team, Dr. Lauren McDonough was a successful multi-practice owner in the Aspen Dental Network. Her success and passion for the path to ownership Aspen Dental offers was quickly recognized, and she now uses her experience to guide other doctors in the network on their ownership journey as the VP of Practice Owner Development.
“I have conversations with female dentists almost daily about how they can grow their career in ways that bring them personal and professional fulfillment—and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. There is no right way to be a dentist or to add value to the field of dentistry and the patients we serve. In a historically male dominated field, there is nothing I love more than working with women who have a stance and a vision and go after what they want.”
For McDonough, one of the biggest advantages she sees for women in DSOs is the range of positions and possibilities that may not be available within the confines of a single practice. Dentists can aspire to be more involved in training, developing others, and managing to supplement their chairside dentistry careers. With varying levels of responsibility, and the ability for dentists to become more involved in aspects of the business they enjoy, the freedom to grow and pivot within a DSO is an exciting prospect.
Rute Ramalho, DDS, Vice President of Hygiene Strategy & Operations, The Aspen Group
Dr. Rute Ramalho has more than 18 years of experience in the dental industry across the United States, Europe and United Kingdom. In addition to her background as a dentist, she has held management roles in research & development, strategy, and marketing. Today, Dr. Ramalho leverages her diverse expertise as the Vice-President of Hygiene Strategy & Operations at Aspen Dental and ClearChoice, where she is responsible for a Hygiene Program across 1100+ offices and supporting 1600+ hygienists.
Dr. Ramalho focuses on doing what is best for the patient, while ensuring hygienists within the TAG network are supported daily within an inclusive environment and culture. “To me, inclusion means mutual respect and understanding no matter the circumstances, and that’s especially important in such diverse workplaces like DSOs.”
A large part of Dr. Ramalho’s role includes empowering Aspen Dental’s hygiene support team, which spans the country to support office teams with onboarding, continuing education, updated American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) guidelines, productive scheduling, and more. This team of 45 hygienists is unique in the DSO landscape and a true differentiator for The Aspen Group.
“There is a huge representation of women in dentistry, and specifically at Aspen, we have more than 10,000 women, so it’s important to continue to advocate and empower each other.”
The rise of women in the dental industry has not only reshaped the profession, but also opened new doors for innovation and growth. Within The Aspen Group, women are leading in clinical affairs, corporate, and operational roles, as well as in the various healthcare practices that it supports, reflecting the growing momentum of women in the dental industry. The Aspen Group’s dedication to supporting and empowering women serves as a roadmap for the next generation of female leaders that will ensure to leave a lasting impact on the industry.
