Chicago-based Aspen Dental is continuing its expansion with the opening of its first Nevada office Aug. 10.
Aspen Dental now supports more than 1,000 offices in more than 40 states.
Whitney White, DDS, will lead the Las Vegas practice. She recently spoke with Becker's about her goals for the new office, her social media following and the trends she is following in the dental industry.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What's been most exciting about opening this practice?
Dr. Whitney White: We have been seeing so many patients walk in before we're even open [who are] looking forward to having Aspen near them. We get to serve a great patient base and there's a need. We're not even open yet and we're seeing the patients wanting to come see us. Since it's the first Aspen Dental in Nevada, it's going to have a lot of draw to it. I think we're going to be a pretty busy office and it looks like on our first day we're going to be pretty much full of new patients trying to get treatment started.
How has your staff been gearing up for the practice opening?
WW: My staff has been so great. We have been here since last Monday, we were able to come into the office and get it ready to start seeing patients, so that entailed opening boxes, putting everything away [and] team bonding. Knowing each other is really important so we can best serve our patients. This week we're just going through everyday practicing [and] what we do for our patients and how to best serve them.
Q: What goals do you have for your practice once it is open?
WW: My biggest goal is to increase access to care. Aspen Dental has a very specific patient base where a lot of patients haven't gone to the dentist in probably five or more years. We see patients who have been putting off going to the dentist for a long time and we're that access for them. They know they can come see us, we have that advertising out there where they know they're not going to be judged when they come in, so we get to help people who really need dental help. That's what I strive to do, just be able to give that care patients need in the Nevada market.
Q: How do you use social media to educate your patients?
WW: I kind of went against the grain and started a dental Instagram because I was starting to find that my patients were on social media. They liked seeing me outside of the office and realizing they're not alone. Dentures have a stigma. People don't like to talk about it and when a patient realizes other people have dentures or other people have dental issues [and] when we talk about it and make it a normal thing, people are more accepting of it. They feel more confident in themselves. That was my desire to start the Instagram page and I've gotten really good feedback from my patients and people I've never even met. I've kind of become their Instagram dentist, so it's been really fun.
Q: What advice do you have for other dentists who are interested in working with Aspen Dental or other DSOs?
WW: Reach out to a DSO, Aspen especially, and shadow an office. That's the first step to seeing if that's the right move for you. I've never looked back. I love working for Aspen. They're a great partner for me and I think taking that first step, reaching out to Aspen, all of their answers will be there and they'll be able to get any questions they have answered. It's a really good support system.
Q: What trends are you following in the dental industry?
WW: I love that we can offer our patients clear aligners. Aspen Dental has Motto clear aligners and it can really help patients' confidence just straightening one crooked tooth or fixing somebody's bite. It's a really simple way to make somebody feel confident again. I also love the fact that we now have implants. Both of those are my most exciting things about dental technology. Things just keep improving. Another dental technology that's really exciting is digital dentures. Digital dentures are going to be something that helps our patients get a denture that fits them perfectly, looks natural and helps them eat better. There are a lot of exciting things in the dental world. Clear aligners, implants and digital dentures are probably my most favorite right now.