Heartland, Aspen, Pacific Dental top DSO list

DrBicuspid.com has compiled a list of the 10 largest dental service/support organizations (DSOs) in the U.S. The biggest news involving DSOs since the last update was published in October 2017 is the pending sale of Heartland Dental.

With more than 840 affiliated/supported practices and offices, Heartland Dental remains the largest DSO in the U.S. While no companies have changed position, Pacific Dental Services has added more than 100 new practices since our last report and is approaching Aspen Dental for second place.

The list is based on DrBicuspid.com research of readily available public information. The information presented is not meant to be definitive but rather to provide a snapshot of available data on the largest DSOs. In each instance, the information has been gathered through an organization's website, press releases, previously published material, or other sources.

Some companies and information are not on this list because the information could not be confirmed by press time. If you are aware of missing information or an organization that should be on this list, please contact us.

Top 10

Organizations are ordered by the number of affiliated practices. All company websites were last accessed on March 26, 2018.

1. Heartland Dental
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 840
   Source: Company website
   Brands: Individualized
   Locations: Heartland practices are in 35 states.
   Note: Heartland is in the process of being acquired by private equity firm KKR.
2. Aspen Dental/Aspen Dental Management
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 675
   Source: March 22 company press release
   Brands: Aspen
   Locations: Aspen has practices in 36 states.
   Note: Aspen providers saw more than 1.7 million patients in 2017, up from 1.5 million in 2016.
3. Pacific Dental Services
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 625
   Source: Company website
   Brands: Individualized
   Locations: Pacific Dental has locations in 19 states.
   Note: Pacific Dental has added more than 100 new practices since our last report.
4. Smile Brands
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 350
   Source: Company press release
   Brands: Bright Now Dental, Castle Dental, and Monarch Dental
   Locations: Smile Brands has offices in 15 states.
   Note: Smile Brands was founded in 1998.
5. American Dental Partners
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 290
   Source: Company website
   Brands: 22 in all, including Associated Dental Partners, Carus Dental, Forward Dental, and Metro Dental
   Locations: American Dental Partners has practices in 21 states.
   Note: The company is based in Massachusetts.
6. Great Expressions Dental Centers
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 280
   Source: Company website
   Brands: Great Expressions
   Locations: Great Expressions has offices in 10 states.
   Note: The company recently hired a new CEO.
7. Dental Care Alliance
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 265
   Source: Company website
   Brands: Multiple, including Advanced Dental Care, College Park Dental, and Gentle Dental
   Locations: Dental Care Alliance has practices in 13 states.
   Note: The Alliance is affiliated with more than 600 dentists.
8. Western Dental
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 240
   Source: Company press release
   Brands: Western Dental & Orthodontics and Brident Dental & Orthodontics
   Locations: Western Dental has locations in four states.
   Note: Western Dental practices saw more than 500,000 Denti-Cal patients in 2017, according to the company.
9. Affordable Dentures & Implants
   Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: More than 230
   Source: Company press release
   Locations: Affordable Dentures has offices in 39 states.
   Note: Affordable Dentures was founded in 1975.
10. InterDent
    Number of affiliated/supported practices/offices: 200
    Source: Company website
    Brands: Gentle Dental, Dedicated Dental, Capitol Dental, Smile Keepers, and Blue Oak
    Locations: InterDent has offices in seven states.
    Note: InterDent was founded in 1978.