About Ascend Dental Group
Creating a new path in dentistry.
Our mission is to build the best dental community in the country — hometown practices, fully supported, delivering rave-worthy patient and team experiences.
Our story
Why we exist
Ascend Dental began in 2017 with a phone call between old college roommates — Andrew Walker and Dr. Michael Merkley. Frustrated by the reputation of group dentistry, they set out to build something different: a group that keeps the hometown feel of every practice, invests in long-term relationships with patients and teams, and gives every local dentist full support.
Our brand vision
All-in-One-Location Dentistry
Patients get nearly all treatment within one community of practices.
Neighborhood Feel, Group Resources
The great local practice you grew up with, with extensive support.
Exceptional Outcomes
Industry-leading financial, operational and people results.
Where we sit
Threading the “community” needle
Neither a corporate, private-equity-backed chain nor a solo practice carrying every burden alone — we sit deliberately in between, and we think that’s where good dentistry lives.
Ascend Dental Group 