Clinical Director of Implants

Aspen Dental opens new dental office in Merced, CA. * October 1, 2026 * 3 minutes read * 4 hours ago New office at 3170 R Street adds walk-in availability and same-day care options in a region where dental providers are in short supply Today, Aspen Dental(R) opened a new supported practice at 3170 R Street in Merced, led by Managing Clinical Director Avni Sharma, DDS, now serving patients throughout Merced County and neighboring communities in the San Joaquin Valley. The office offers a full range of dental services under one roof, including preventive care, emergency dentistry, dentures, implants, crowns, bridges, oral surgery, and Motto(TM) Clear Aligners, along with walk-in visits and cost estimates patients can review before treatment begins. "Merced is a growing community where families want access to a dental office that can handle everything under one roof, from a routine cleaning to a same-day emergency," said Dr. Sharma. "I want patients to know they have a dental team nearby that will listen, understand what matters to them, and provide the care they need at every stage of their oral health journey. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to build those relationships and care for this community for years to come." Merced's population grew from 78,958 residents at the 2010 Census to 86,333 at the 2020 Census, an increase of about 9 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The new office sits on R Street, near the newly redeveloped Shoppes at Merced retail center, putting the practice along a corridor where many Merced residents already shop and dine. That growth is unfolding in a region already short on dental providers. Most counties in the San Joaquin Valley, including Merced County, have a lower supply of dentists and oral health professionals per capita than the statewide rate, according to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. "When patients can't get in to see a dentist, small problems don't stay small," said Dr. Arwinder Judge, chief clinical officer at Aspen Dental. "A cavity that goes untreated becomes a root canal, and a root canal that goes untreated becomes an extraction. Opening in Merced means patients get a nearby option for preventive and restorative care, instead of waiting weeks for an appointment or driving out of the county for treatment they need close to home." "Patients in the Central Valley are telling us they want more options for dental care right in their own community, and Dr. Sharma's new office answers that," said Lori D'Anna, president, field operations at Aspen Dental. "Our focus is keeping the practice running smoothly behind the scenes, so she can spend her energy on patients, not paperwork." The Merced office is in-network with many major dental insurance carriers and offers financing options to help make treatment affordable. Patients can schedule online, call the office directly, or walk in, and those dealing with a broken tooth, sudden pain, or another urgent issue can typically be seen the same day. Extended hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, along with Saturday appointments, are built around the schedules of working families. Office hours and scheduling. The Merced office is now accepting new patients at 3170 R Street, Merced, CA 95348. Office hours are: * Monday-Tuesday: 8 AM-5 PM * Wednesday-Thursday: 9 AM-6 PM * Friday: 8 AM-2 PM * Select Saturdays: 8 AM-2 PM To schedule an appointment, patients can visit aspendental.com or call 209-201-0124. Walk-ins are welcome. About Aspen Dental. Aspen Dental, part of The Aspen Group (TAG), is committed to breaking down barriers to oral healthcare and helping patients put themselves first, starting with a healthy mouth. With nearly 1,100 Aspen Dental-branded offices across the United States, Aspen Dental practices offer comprehensive care and are supported by dedicated teams focused on making dental care more accessible and affordable. Through initiatives such as the Healthy Mouth Movement and Day of Service, Aspen Dental and its network continue to expand access to care for those who need it most. Aspen Dental-branded practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists. Aspen Dental Management, Inc. provides business support services to these practices.

Aspen Dental has opened a new practice in Merced, California, led by managing clinical director Avni Sharma. Located at 3170 R Street near the Shoppes at Merced retail centre, the office offers comprehensive dental services including preventive care, emergency dentistry, dentures, implants and oral surgery, with walk-in availability and same-day care options. Merced's population grew approximately 9% between 2010 and 2020, reaching 86,333 residents. The region faces a shortage of dental providers, with most San Joaquin Valley counties, including Merced, having fewer dentists per capita than the statewide rate. The practice operates extended hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus select Saturdays, accommodating working families. It accepts major dental insurance carriers and offers financing options. Aspen Dental now operates nearly 1,100 branded offices across the United States.

Aspen Dental named to Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Leadership 2026. Science · SEP 16, 2026 PR Newswire The recognition underscores Aspen Dental's commitment to developing leaders, investing in team members and creating opportunities for growth CHICAGO, Sept... The recognition underscores Aspen Dental's commitment to developing leaders, investing in team members and creating opportunities for growth CHICAGO, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The Aspen Group (TAG) today announced Aspen Dental(R) has been named one of Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Leadership 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. The award recognizes employers where leadership builds trust, accountability and inclusion, and where employees feel supported and confident in the direction of the organization. The evaluation included a nationwide survey of more than 77,000 working professionals, along with extensive research of online employee reviews to gauge satisfaction with management, employee happiness and worker appreciation to produce an overall satisfaction score. The recognition reflects Aspen Dental's commitment to developing leaders at every level and creating opportunities for team members to grow throughout their careers. Through ongoing investments in learning, mentorship and professional development, Aspen Dental supports team members with the skills and resources to lead teams and help clinicians across the network bring better care to more people. "This recognition means so much because it reflects the dedication we have to our culture - one where leadership is defined by the impact you have on the people and teams around you," said Monica Novomisle, senior vice president of field HR for Aspen Dental. "Our leaders trust their people to make decisions and encourage them to take on new challenges. We show up for one another and live our purpose together as a team." At the center of that investment is The Aspen Group's learning and development ecosystem, The Aspen Group University (TAG U), designed to help team members grow personally and professionally at every stage of their careers. Through its Schools of Excellence, TAG U provides team members with in-person, virtual and hands-on learning across clinical care, leadership, business and operations, and service and support. The platform combines education and mentorship to help team members advance their careers while providing clinicians with advanced training to further develop their clinical and leadership skills. TAG U includes the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence, a state-of-the-art dental clinic and training facility in Chicago that provides hands-on educational experiences for dental professionals while delivering comprehensive dental care to underserved patients in Illinois. Together, these investments reinforce Aspen Dental's commitment to developing its people while expanding access to high-quality oral health care. Individuals who want to learn more about career opportunities at Aspen Dental are encouraged to visit careers.aspendental.com. About Aspen Dental Aspen Dental, part of The Aspen Group (TAG), is committed to breaking down barriers to oral healthcare and helping patients put themselves first, starting with a healthy mouth. With nearly 1,100 Aspen Dental-branded offices across the United States, Aspen Dental practices offer comprehensive care and are supported by dedicated teams focused on making dental care more accessible and affordable. Through initiatives such as the Healthy Mouth Movement and Day of Service, Aspen Dental and its network continue to expand access to care for those who need it most. Aspen Dental-branded practices are independently owned and operated by licensed dentists. Aspen Dental Management, Inc. provides business support services to these practices. For more information, visit aspendental.com, and follow Aspen Dental on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About The Aspen Group (TAG) The Aspen Group (TAG) was built on the idea of bringing better health care to more people. TAG supports independent health care practices operating more than 1,400 locations in 46 states through five consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental(R), ClearChoice Dental Implant Center(R), WellNow Urgent Care(R), Chapter Aesthetic Studio(SM) and Lovet Pet Health Care. TAG invests in its team members through The Aspen Group University (TAG U), providing clinical training, leadership development and career advancement opportunities across its network. For more information, visit teamtag.com. SOURCE The Aspen Group (TAG) Published by News Desk · WeeklyReviewer The WeeklyReviewer news desk monitors breaking developments around the clock - sourcing, verifying, and publishing real-time industry news across business, technology, politics, science, sports, and world affairs. Every story that comes through the Live Wire is reviewed for accuracy before publication, keeping our readers ahead of the curve without the noise.