Aspen Dental
Network of dental practices providing affordable care.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners2018-07-01
What Made It Great
Making dental care accessible and affordable for all patients.
What PE Will Likely Do
Aspen Dental clinics will see a reduction in the number of dental professionals (dentists, hygienists, assistants) per clinic, leading to longer wait times for appointments and reduced individual attention for patients
Dental equipment and technology investments will be deferred, resulting in the use of outdated or less effective tools and technologies for procedures
Efforts will be made to increase the number of patients seen per day, leading to shorter appointment times and less comprehensive dental exams and treatments
The variety of dental services offered may be reduced, with a focus on the most profitable procedures and a decrease in specialized or complex treatments
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Announcements of 'operational improvements' and 'efficiency initiatives', with a focus on cost-cutting measures
“6 to 12 months months”
Staffing reductions begin, with a shift towards less experienced or lower-skilled dental professionals to reduce labor costs
“12 to 24 months months”
Patient wait times increase, and the quality of dental care and patient experience starts to noticeably decline
“24 to 36 months months”
Ongoing issues with access to care, patient complaints about the deterioration of services, and potential closures of less profitable Aspen Dental locations
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Be prepared for longer wait times and reduced attention from dental professionals at Aspen Dental clinics
Advocate for your specific dental care needs and be vigilant about the quality of treatment, as cost-saving measures may lead to a decline in the standard of care
Consider seeking out alternative dental providers that prioritize patient care over profit margins
Alternatives
Community-focused healthcare
Integrated managed care consortium