We are proud to share that Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of The Aspen Group (TAG) and founder of Aspen Dental, has been named one of Incisal Edge magazine’s 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry for 2026. Fontana ranks No. 5 on this year’s list alongside the CEOs of other major DSOs, rising from No. 20 in 2025. The recognition highlights his nearly three decades of work focused on increasing the availability of oral healthcare services while creating opportunities for dental professionals to learn, grow and better serve their patients.
Since founding Aspen Dental in 1998, Fontana has championed a model that gives doctors access to the tools, technology, training and business support they need to focus on patient care. That same philosophy has shaped investments such as The Aspen Group University (TAG U), which provides ongoing clinical and professional development, and the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence (OCC) in Chicago, where doctors gain hands-on experience and training while helping provide dental care at no cost to underserved patients.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Incisal Edge. Influence only matters if you use it to make a meaningful difference for people,” said Fontana. “From the beginning, our mission has been to break down barriers to care while giving doctors the support and opportunities they need to focus on patient care. I’m incredibly proud of what our doctors and teams continue to make possible for patients and communities across the country.”
That impact is also visible through Aspen Dental’s Day of Service, when participating Aspen Dental locations open their doors to provide free dental care to veterans. This year’s Day of Service will take place Nov. 7 and comes as Aspen Dental begins a new five-year commitment to provide up to $100 million in donated dental care and oral health services.
Together, initiatives like TAG U, the OCC and Day of Service reflect the approach that has defined Fontana’s leadership: investing in dental professionals, leveraging Aspen Dental’s network to support broader access to dental care and finding new ways to bring care to more people.
Read the full Incisal Edge 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry list to learn more about this year’s honorees.