Missouri Woman Left Toothless After Aspen Dental Visit: A Cautionary Tale
A Missouri woman has been left completely toothless after a visit to a major dental clinic chain, raising serious questions about patient care and corporate practices in the dentistry industry. Staci Shroyer's distressing experience began two years ago when she broke a tooth and, unable to secure an appointment with her regular dentist due to pain, sought urgent treatment elsewhere.
The Fateful Appointment
In her search for immediate care, Shroyer turned to an Aspen Dental location in Blue Springs, Missouri, drawn by its availability and widespread presence across the United States. Initially expecting a simple repair for her broken tooth, she was instead subjected to a full set of dental X-rays upon arrival. Staff informed her she had periodontal disease, a severe gum infection that can lead to tooth loss, and delivered a shocking diagnosis.
Shroyer recounted to FOX4: 'They said, "they’re all rotten; they’re going bad; they all need root canals, and it’s going to cost you about $50,000."' This news stunned her, as two previous dentists had never indicated her teeth were in such dire condition.
The Extreme Recommendation
According to Shroyer, Aspen Dental staff suggested it would be more economical to extract all her teeth and opt for dentures. She described how 'they charmed the fire outta me,' assuring her she would look 'beautiful' with the proposed solution. Trusting the clinic, she proceeded with the full extraction, a decision she now deeply regrets.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Shroyer told FOX4: 'I felt so ugly. I can't face anybody.' Her ordeal was compounded by pain during the procedure and ongoing discomfort over two years, with dentures that still do not fit properly.
Expert Opinions and Corporate Context
Dentists later reviewing Shroyer's X-rays for FOX4 stated they would have offered multiple treatment options rather than immediately resorting to such an extreme measure, potentially saving most of her teeth. This highlights a critical gap in the care she received.
Aspen Dental, part of the Aspen Group which reported $4.2 billion in net revenue in the first half of 2025, operates over 1,100 locations nationwide, primarily in the eastern US. The company's website clarifies it provides administrative support to independently owned practices, not clinical oversight, placing responsibility on individual dentists.
History of Legal Issues
Over the past 15 years, Aspen Dental has faced numerous lawsuits alleging misconduct, including:
- A 2010 settlement over misleading advertisements in Pennsylvania.
- A 2015 settlement for deceptive advertising in Indiana.
- A $3.5 million payment to Massachusetts in 2023 over bait-and-switch tactics.
- A $18.4 million class action settlement in July 2025 for privacy law violations.
In all cases, the company denied wrongdoing as part of settlements. Jim Baker of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project noted allegations of deceptive practices and incentives for costly procedures.
Financial and Emotional Fallout
While Aspen Dental refunded Shroyer's dentures and implants, it did not cover the extraction costs. This left her with a $2,500 bill sent to collections, hindering her ability to afford corrective procedures. She lamented: 'I wish I would have never walked into the door of that place.'
An Aspen Dental spokesperson emphasized that patient care is managed by independent dentists and stated the company no longer contracts with the dentist who treated Shroyer. They added that ADMI takes complaints seriously and has processes to address them.
This case serves as a stark reminder for patients to seek second opinions and underscores ongoing debates about regulation and transparency in corporate dental networks.
