Members of the Training and Development team at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. received a CNY BEST Learning and Performance award from the American Society for Training and Development in recognition of excellence in learning and performance practices that link learning to strategic growth. Members of the ADMI team are as follows. Front, left to right: Robin Ivens, Operations Trainer; Carrie Clark, Manager, Operations Training; Lisa Brennan, Operations Trainer; David Sokolowski, Managing Director, Training and Development. Rear, left to right: Lenore O'Connor, Director, Operations Training; Mark Britz, Instructional Designer.

Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) received a CNY BEST Learning and Performance award from the American Society for Training and Development in recognition of excellence in learning and performance practices that link learning to strategic growth.

ADMI’s Training and Development team was honored at the CNY BEST Awards Ceremony on June 10, 2010 for its Blended Learning Approach, a program based on the philosophy that today’s employees require ongoing support for learning, rather than single, exhaustive knowledge download. The team developed a series of e-learning modules using rapid e-learning tools, which were supplemented by written job-aids, SharePoint blogs and wikis to provide ongoing support and education. The program not only showed significant cost savings over traditional training delivery methods but also resulted in improved performance.

“Our training and development team fully believes that employees derive the greatest benefit from consistent, ongoing learning opportunities,” said David Sokolowski, managing director of training and development at ADMI. “Developing and implementing solid programs for clinicians and office staff in more than 245 Aspen Dental practices across 20 states is a huge challenge, so I’m incredibly proud of the team’s ingenuity in creating and implementing this award-winning initiative.”

ADMI has invested significantly in training in recent years; the company’s Practice Support Center in East Syracuse, which opened in 2006, houses a 90-seat auditorium to host regular, onsite training sessions. In 2009 alone, ADMI invested more than $6 million in support of professional development initiatives for 750 doctors, hygienists and office managers at the Support Center and in the field.

In addition to Sokolowski, members of the ADMI Training and Development team include Lenore O’Connor, director of operations training; Mark Britz, instructional designer; Carrie Clark, manager, operations training; Lisa Brennan, operations trainer; Robin Ivens, operations trainer; Mike Jimerson, director of laboratory performance improvement and Teresa Clonan, administrative assistant.

ABOUT ASPEN DENTAL & ADMI
With more than 245 locations in 20 states, Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality dental care under the Aspen Dental brand. Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network of practices is supported by Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI), one of the largest and fastest-growing providers of integrated business services to dental practices in the U.S.

ADMI provides business expertise that allows dentists to focus on providing quality care to their patients. These services include training and professional development, benefits administration, marketing, insurance processing, procurement, facilities and equipment.

To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com. 

Fall for Smiles is a public messaging campaign conducted in collaboration with Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, an initiative of the Dental Trade Alliance. The campaign begins in September 2010 to promote messages to consumers about the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health.

During the campaign, OHA will announce the results of a public opinion survey on consumers’ beliefs about oral health. Sponsored by Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait and Plackers dental flossers, the survey of more than 1,000 adults and more than 1,000 children asked questions about oral care habits and perceptions.

Prior OHA surveys have shown that adults are unaware of the role that infectious bacteria play in tooth decay, and that time spent brushing teeth tends to diminish at nighttime and on weekends. This suggests that routines play a role in optimum oral care habits.

“The Fall for Smiles campaign is intended to bring the oral health community together to promote common messaging about what Americans can do to keep their mouths healthy,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO, Oral Health America.

“We are excited about the strong interest we have from the public and private sectors in a messaging campaign in the third quarter that reminds consumers about the importance of oral care routines as families are heading back to school and back to work.”

Fall for Smiles will include outreach to dental care providers through a participation booklet and kit created by Patterson Dental. The campaign will also dedicate a week to oral health issues faced by mature adults and older Americans, an initiative being sponsored by Aspen Dental. A “Tobacco Free Week” will focus on the oral health risks of tobacco use.

“Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait shares a common purpose with OHA’s Fall for Smiles campaign—to increase dental patient awareness,” said Gary Price, CEO, Dental Trade Alliance. “Our members are encouraged by the collaborative nature of this effort, and the multiple opportunities for outreach to patient populations and opinion leaders throughout the country.”

For more information, visit www.oralhealthamerica.org.

To read more about Oral Health America, go to Oral Health America.

A down economy is fueling growth of a New York-based dental clinic chain, which plans to open three outlets in the Pittsburgh area this year and 36 clinics nationwide by year’s end.

In recent weeks, Aspen Dental opened a clinic in Cranberry Township, and other offices are planned in Homestead and Washington, Pa., said company spokesman Brian Healy. Aspen was founded in 1998 in Syracuse, N.Y., and has annual revenue of around $500 million, with annual revenue growth of 60 percent.

Joining Aspen was “too good of an opportunity to pass up” for Dr. Nathan Laughrey, who bought an Aspen office in the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in 2006 in a 50-50 investment agreement with the company. All Aspen offices are independently operated. Laughrey always dreamed of having his own practice, but “it was kind of daunting to make the financial commitment.” In addition, Laughrey, who served as general practice residency director at Allegheny General Hospital, worried as the economy tanked and classmates in private practice struggled.

“Dental school really doesn’t teach you a lot about running your own business,” he said.

Aspen Dental’s band Brush performed live at the Landmark Theater during the event on March 26. Nearly 300 employees and family members were on hand to cheer them on, an enthusiastic crowd that won Aspen Dental the “Best Audience Participation” award.

“The American Red Cross does incredible work, both in Central New York and around the globe, and it was a pleasure to participate in this year’s event,” said Rob Connor, chief operating officer at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “The support that we received from our colleagues demonstrates once again that Aspen Dental is made up of vibrant, passionate people who care deeply about their company and their community.”

Added Michelle Keib, a Red Cross volunteer who chairs the event, “We’re grateful for the generosity demonstrated by the Central New York community during our annual Rockin’ the Red Cross event, which raised approximately $46,000 to help aid families right here in our communities who are affected by disaster. The excitement and enthusiasm of Aspen Dental’s employees really speaks to a culture of community, participation, and volunteerism.”

About Aspen Dental
One of the largest and fastest-growing providers of denture and dental care services in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care under the Aspen Dental brand.

There are currently more than 235 Aspen Dental locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.

The hockey day begins with a “masters” game, featuring players generally age 50 and older, between the Syracuse Gray Wolves and the visiting Rochester Rockers hitting the ice at 3:00 p.m. in the Battle for the Denture Cup. I will be in goal for Syracuse. It’s revenge time for the Gray Wolves as last year we were outshot and outscored by Rochester; the game ended with a 2-0 score.

Then, that night at 7:30 p.m. the Syracuse Crunch will take on their East Division rivals, the Albany River Rats, for the “real” game of the day.

As always, the Crunch, from Howard Dolgon, team President to Jim Sarosy, Senior Vice President and right on down to the players, have always been there anxiously waiting to get involved and help central New York in any way they can. The great folks at Aspen Dental have been there as well supporting our community in whatever way they can. In the end, its great organizations coming together for a great cause; the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Admission to the Denture Cup game at 3 p.m. is FREE! Tickets for the Crunch game later that night are still available at various price levels as well.

Hope to see you Saturday!

- Wayne

Wayne Mahar is a hockey enthusiast, with a niche for weather here in Central New York. In January of 1985, Mahar become Syracuse’s first full time meteorologist, which sparked an era of making weather forecasting throughout the area much more serious. In addition to his on-air time on Action News and CNY Central, Mahar is President of Precision Weather Service, a private weather consulting firm. When not on the Weather Deck, Wayne can be found skating between the pipes at area hockey rinks.

02.16.2010 – As part of a new partnership with Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HW-SC), dentists and hygienists at Aspen Dental provided a day of free dental services to more than 30 HW-SC high school students on Saturday, February 13. During “Love Your Smile Day,” Aspen Dental clinicians, along with dental hygiene students from SUNY Canton, provided students with x-rays, basic cleanings and fluoride treatments. The event was held at Aspen Dental’s Camillus office.

“We were thrilled with the incredible turnout and the positive response from our students and the generous contribution from Aspen Dental,” said Wayne O’Connor, executive director of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. “Not only do we work with our Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection students to improve academic success but we strive to help them achieve healthy habits leading to their overall well being.”

In addition to Saturday’s event, Aspen Dental recently provided the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection with a four-year, $50,000 grant to support their efforts in the Syracuse City School District. The donation was the latest effort in Aspen Dental’s Smile for Good corporate social responsibility initiative, which focuses on bringing smiles to the communities that Aspen Dental serves.

“Poor oral health and dental-related pain can negatively impact a student’s academic performance, distracting them from their studies or causing them to miss class altogether,” added Maureen Howes, RDH, director of hygiene services at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “Providing access to high-quality, comprehensive oral care is a priority for Aspen Dental, so our team was happy to donate a day of free dental services to the HW-SC program.”

HW-SC is a nationally-recognized youth development program proven to double the graduation rates for at-risk youth. The cornerstone of its model are its school-based Youth Advocates, who serve as long-term mentors and liaisons to students and their families, linking students to individualized support services, employment training and on-the-job mentoring, academic tutoring, and year-round enrichment programs. HW-SC helps students develop good habits, achieve academic success, and become responsible young adults. Last year, HW-SC served 468 Syracuse City School District students in grades 7-12, with 89 percent of these students promoted to the next grade level.

ABOUT HW-SC
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, founded in 1987 by Robert and Danny Wegman, is an affiliate of Hillside Family of Agencies and serves at-risk youth in three locations in Rochester and Syracuse, NY and in Prince George’s County, MD.
Hillside Family of Agencies is a family and children services organization that provides child welfare, mental health, youth development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities services across central and western New York. Hillside Family of Agencies is comprised of affiliates Crestwood Children’s Center, Crestwood Children’s Foundation, Hillside Children’s Center, Hillside Children’s Foundation, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, and Snell Farm Children’s Center.

ABOUT ASPEN DENTAL
Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing providers of denture and dental care services in the U.S., is committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care. Aspen Dental offers convenient locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The company works with all insurance plans.

Based in Syracuse, NY, Aspen Dental has grown from 13 offices and three states in 1998 to more than 225 locations in 19 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com.

Aspen Dental recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits last year, including 340,000 new patients. That’s a 30 percent increase over the 260,000 first-time visitors in 2008.
The company also opened 44 new dental offices, representing a 25 percent expansion.

The new locations bring the total number of Aspen Dental practices to 224 in 19 states. The new offices included the first locations in Florida, Kentucky, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Aspen Dental is planning for additional growth in 2010, including 55 new offices. The firm will open its first locations in Nebraska, Minnesota, Tennessee, Maryland, and Delaware.
Besides the new jobs in DeWitt, Aspen Dental also plans to hire nearly 500 employees for its practices nationwide.

The sophomore students toured ADMI’s denture lab, and learned the differences among types of dentures and how they are made.

“It was nice to be able to take all the terms we learn in our classes and see them in real-life situations,” said Alicia Harrington, who will graduate from SUNY Canton in May 2010.

Maureen Howes, director of hygiene services for Aspen Dental, spoke to the students about an oral cancer screening that uses chemiluminescent technology to detect oral cancer at its earliest stages.

Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support, also discussed the differences between amalgam and composite restorations.

“It’s important for our students to get some hands-on, outside-the-classroom learning,” said Pam Quinn, dental hygiene program director at SUNY Canton. “This is the second year we’ve brought students to Aspen Dental and we hope to continue bringing them in the future”

http://www.dentalofficemag.com/display_article/371020/54/none/none/IndNw/Students-get-hands-on-experience-at-Aspen-Dental

National dentistry chains are growing, and they’re hiring on all levels.

The economic outlook may be grim, but people always need to get their teeth fixed. Some 40%of Americans don’t go to the dentist regularly, according to government studies. They’re likely to end up needing dentists more than anyone else, and retail dentistry operations are stepping into the breach.

Those operations are chains, including Aspen Dental, DentalOne and Heartland Dental Care, that are like the eyecare company Lenscrafters, only for teeth. They offer exams, X-rays, fillings and false teeth, often charging roughly 10% less than sole practitioners, who still make up the vast majority of American dentists. The retail chains are expanding, which is creating a lot of jobs.

To read more, click here

The sophomore students toured ADMI’s denture lab, and learned the differences among types of dentures and how they are made.

“It was nice to be able to take all the terms we learn in our classes and see them in real-life situations,” said Alicia Harrington, who will graduate from SUNY Canton in May 2010.

Maureen Howes, director of hygiene services for Aspen Dental, spoke to the students about an oral cancer screening that uses chemiluminescent technology to detect oral cancer at its earliest stages.

Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support, also discussed the differences between amalgam and composite restorations.

“It’s important for our students to get some hands-on, outside-the-classroom learning,” said Pam Quinn, dental hygiene program director at SUNY Canton. “This is the second year we’ve brought students to Aspen Dental and we hope to continue bringing them in the future”

For more information about Aspen Dental visit its newly-designed Web site at www.aspendent.com