Aspen Dental Earns TIME Private Company Honor

Aspen Dental has been named to TIME’s inaugural list of America’s Best Private Companies for 2026, ranking 195th out of 500 nationwide. As the only dental services organization to receive this honor, the company was evaluated based on high levels of employee satisfaction and significant societal impact. This achievement highlights the growing influence of large-scale dental networks in the healthcare sector and underscores the importance of professional development and community service in modern dental practice management.

Aspen Dental secured its position on the 2026 list through a partnership between TIME and Statista, which analyzed data from approximately 217,000 employees over a three-year period. The ranking specifically highlights Aspen Dental’s investment in its workforce through The Aspen Group University (TAG U), a Chicago-based facility providing clinical development, leadership coaching, and hands-on education. Jacob Allen, chief human resources officer at The Aspen Group (TAG), noted that the organization’s strategy focuses on building long-term careers rather than simply filling roles, which directly translates to improved patient experiences across its nearly 1,100 branded offices.

A core component of the organization's success is its Practice Ownership Program (POP), which ensures that every Aspen Dental location is owned by a licensed dentist. This model is designed to maintain clinical autonomy while providing practitioners with necessary business support, technology, and operational resources. Dr. Arwinder Judge, chief clinical officer, emphasized that empowering doctors to make independent clinical decisions is essential for high-quality care. This approach is further supported by the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence, which offers advanced clinical training and provides free dental services to underserved populations in Illinois.

Beyond internal operations, the recognition reflects Aspen Dental’s extensive philanthropic efforts, including the Healthy Mouth Movement and annual Day of Service events. Since 2014, these initiatives have treated more than 30,000 veterans and provided over $28 million in donated care. In 2026, the company expanded its commitment with a five-year pledge to provide up to $100 million in donated care and community service nationwide. As part of The Aspen Group, which supports over 1,400 locations across 46 states, Aspen Dental continues to leverage its scale to address barriers to oral healthcare while setting benchmarks for the dental services industry.