To help break down barriers to dental care
To help break down barriers to dental care and increase access for all, TAG Oral Care Center provides cutting edge comprehensive dental care to qualified patients, free of charge. Together, we can bring more smiles, healthier mouths, and more self-confidence to people across the communities we serve.
Healthier mouths across Illinois.
With your support, we can serve qualified Illinois residents in need. Our goal is for everyone to feel confident in their smile. • 37% Age 65+ have severe tooth loss.* •20% agree: not having natural teeth is an obstacle to visiting the dentist. *”Severe tooth loss” is defined as having 8 or fewer teeth Sources: OHA - Harvard University. (2018). A State of Decay. and ADA Health Policy Institute. (2015). Oral Health and Well-Being in Illinois.
A state, city, and local opportunity
Socioeconomics present a barrier to dental care in our communities all across the state. Supporting TAG Oral Care Center (OCC) will bring change to our neighborhoods, our counties, and our region. • 63% of Chicago residents do not have dental insurance. Source: Illinois Department of Public Health. (2022) Illinois County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys (2015-2019). • 64% of Illinois residents list cost as a barrier to receiving oral care. Source: ADA Health Policy Institute. (2015). Oral Health and Well-Being in Illinois.
A modern space to solve old problems.
TAG Oral Care Center features state-of-the-art technology in a welcoming, inviting space. Because all patients deserve access to quality care. Currently, adults making less than $25,000 annually are half as likely to visit a dentist than those who are making $75,000 or more. Let’s change that. Source: United Health Foundation. (2020). America’s Health Rankings Annual Report - Illinois.
Let’s make a difference.
The OCC will help address three key measures highlighted in the 2021-2025 State of Illinois Department of Public Health Oral Health Surveillance System. •Serving qualified patients with any tooth loss. •Preventing emergency department visits for non-traumatic dental conditions. •Delayed dental visits due to cost. We know oral health leads to a more content life. Let’s create more smiles.
Meet Julie.
Dr. Julie Frantsve-Hawley, PHD, CAE, is the executive director of TAG Oral Care Center. She’s held leadership roles in the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, the American Public Health Association’s Oral Health Section, and the American Association of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research.
Meet Sundeep.
Dr. Sundeep Rawal, DMD, is Senior Vice President, Implant Support Services for Aspen Dental. He has worked extensively to utilize CAD/CAM technologies within the scope of clinical dentistry and enhance his patients’ restorative treatments. Dr. Rawal is a frequent lecturer across the globe, and the co-founder of the Digital Dentistry Institute, a leading contemporary education entity with courses in numerous countries dedicated to innovations and technology in dentistry.
Our history: The Aspen Group (TAG) and Aspen Dental
The Aspen Group (TAG) is a nationwide leader in consumer healthcare with a broad healthcare goal. We welcomed Chapter, ClearChoice, and WellNow because we believe in a future where health and wellness is accessible for all. Aspen Dental was founded in 1988 with a mission to break down the barriers that made it hard for patients to keep up with their dental health: affordability, transparency, and access. Fast forward over 20 years — we’re more than 950 locations strong and have completely changed the dental landscape. Since 2014, through our charitable giving program, we've donated more than $23M in dentistry to more than 30,000 veterans and people in need in the U.S. and around the world. But there is more work to do.
