Aspen Dental’s New Motto Smile Complete Club Created to Assist Former SmileDirectClub Patients

Aspen Dental’s news this week that it’s announced Motto Smile Complete Club to assist patients affected by the recent closure of SmileDirectClub (SDC) is the latest industry initiative that’s surfaced as the result of SDC’s shut down earlier this month.

Last week Dental Products Report reported that dental customers of SDC may be stuck in the middle of their treatment process after the direct-to-consumer dentistry and orthodontics company shut down its operations. The company posted a statement on its website on Dec. 8 reading: SmileDirectClub has made the incredibly difficult decision to wind down its global operations, effective immediately.

Following that news came word that the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is offering guidance to those patients impacted by the recent closure of SDC, and patients being approached by other "mail-order" teeth straightening companies. Read that full article here.

Now, Aspen Dental has a special initiative that aims to assist former SDC patients by offering a seamless transition to Motto Clear Aligners with a $400 credit towards a Motto Essential treatment plan.

Motto Clear Aligners are doctor-driven care sold exclusively at Aspen Dental. With the credit, SDC patients can now receive a Motto Essential treatment plan at participating offices for $1495, the company states.

"For more than 25 years, Aspen Dental's primary concern has been the well-being of patients and eliminating the barriers that prevent millions of Americans from getting the oral health care they need," Sarah Sharfstein, vice president of commercialization at Aspen Dental, says in a press release. "We want to ensure all patients have access to quality, doctor-directed care despite the challenges posed by SmileDirectClub's closure. We are hoping to help thousands of patients complete their aligner treatment with a reliable and convenient solution available through a network of 1,000 Aspen Dental branded locations across the country."

Patients interested in continuing their aligner treatment through the Smile Complete Club are encouraged to schedule a complimentary consultation at aspendental.com/mottoaligners to find the closest participating Aspen Dental location to them. The company says walk-ins are welcome and adds that patients will need to bring their current SmileDirectClub trays and treatment plan to their appointment. During the consultation, the Aspen Dental dentist will assess each patient's unique needs and create a customized treatment plan. The custom treatment plan is designed to ensure a smooth and successful transition using Motto Clear Aligners.

Teeth-straightening done via clear aligners typically takes 4-6 months for significant results and patients often commit to years of retainers to maintain the results and smiles they desire. Because of the SDC shutdown, many existing SDC customers may now be caught in the middle of their treatments.

In addition to the AAO offering guidance to these customers/patients, OrthoFX announced last week it is stepping in to offer help to the many customers left seeking continued care. Unlike SDC, OrthoFX is an FDA-approved aligner solution that works directly with dental professionals, ensuring individualized treatment plans are both crafted and supervised by licensed dentists or orthodontists.

Through Aspen Dental’s Smile Complete Club, patients are also eligible to receive a $400 credit towards a Motto Essential treatment plan at participating offices. Additionally, for patients that are interested in a retention solution, participating Aspen Dental offices are offering 25% off MottoRetain, which includes 4 sets of retainers and teeth whitening, the company states.

For more information about Smile Complete Club or to schedule an appointment, patients can visit aspendental.com/mottoaligners/transfer/.