Aspen Dental effectively and efficiently delivers premium patient care through mutually beneficial partnerships between general dentists and specialists
Navigating the dental referral process can be a headache-inducing experience, as patients often find themselves juggling multiple appointments and providers to receive specialty care such as root canals and oral surgery.
“At Aspen Dental, we have a built-in referral network that benefits both providers and their patients,” said Dr. Babar Saleem, who became an Aspen dentist in 2011 and then pursued specialty education before returning to Aspen as a board-certified endodontist in 2018. “Rather than sending patients back and forth between offices, both the general dentist and specialist practice in the same place. This allows us to make decisions about a patient’s treatment together in real-time, and for the patient, the distance between the two of us is a quick walk down the hallway.”
The Power of Partnership
Aspen's nationwide network of dentists and specialists helps ensure seamless, high-quality care across a comprehensive range of dental services. These dentists and specialists can closely collaborate on case selection and treatment planning, while patients can conveniently schedule appointments that meet their needs in a single Aspen office.
“It’s really nice having a specialist in our practices because it brings consistency and efficiency on both sides of the dental chair,” said Dr. Mark Medeiros, an Aspen dentist who has reaped the benefits of partnering with an Aspen specialist firsthand. “Now, patients can come in for a root canal treatment with Dr. Saleem, and then I can place their crown during the same appointment. They appreciate having everything under one roof, as they often benefit from fewer visits and same-day treatments.”
Greater Growth and Efficiency
Dr. Medeiros and his wife, Dr. Jade Pedersen, own 4 Aspen dental offices in Massachusetts—all of which rely on Dr. Saleem’s endodontic expertise.
“Sometimes, dental procedures reveal unexpected issues,” Dr. Pedersen said. “In these cases, I can turn to Dr. Saleem for immediate guidance or vice versa, and we can pivot the treatment in a different direction. Even if he’s not in the office, we’ve established a relationship where I can just send him an image for his opinion. Our collaboration makes it so much easier.”
Dr. Saleem also explained how his partnership with Drs. Medeiros and Pedersen not only boosts overall practice efficiency, but also reduces the time spent on consultations and allows him to focus more on performing endodontic procedures.
The Bottom Line
“Cost is obviously another big factor to patients,” Dr. Pedersen concluded. “By having our specialist in-house, we know the exact cost of their planned procedure, so patients can figure out if it’s feasible for them or if we need an alternative treatment plan. It enables them to make a more educated decision on what works best for them.”
