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

MERCED, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Aspen Dental® 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 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™ 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 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Select Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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. For more information, visit aspendental.com, and follow Aspen Dental on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Aspen Dental