CVS Health and SmileDirectClub announced plans to open the latter’s SmileShops in hundreds of CVS Pharmacy locations in 2019. The move will more than double SmileDirectClub’s current physical footprint, according to a press release from the two companies.
In addition, by early summer, SmileDirectClub will reportedly be added as an in-network health care option for Aetna Dental members. This will allow Aetna Dental members to visit the SmileDirectClub website to provide their insurance information and receive insurance approval prior to payment.
According to the press release, the collaboration is an example of CVS Health’s “progress in making innovative health solutions easier, more accessible, and more affordable for consumers.”
“CVS Health and SmileDirectClub are aligned in the mission to put the customer at the center of their care by providing easier access to more affordable, more convenient health solutions with proven outcomes,” said Kevin Hourican, president of CVS Pharmacy and executive vice president of CVS Health. “SmileShops at CVS Pharmacy support our dedication to enhancing the customer experience with innovative and convenient health and beauty solutions.”
“Our collaboration opens the door for millions of CVS Pharmacy customers to be one step closer to getting a smile that they love, and can afford,” said Alex Fenkell, co-founder of SmileDirectClub. “CVS Pharmacy understands that quality and convenience are what customers crave when it comes to their health, wellness, and beauty needs. We are excited to extend our footprint and access to straighter smiles with a customer-first organization.”
“Aetna is committed to making dental care easy and affordable, which is why we offer coverage for a wide range of Orthodontic solutions, in order to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of each patient,” said Karen Lynch, president of Aetna and executive vice president of CVS Health. “Our collaboration with SmileDirectClub is exciting because it will enhance and simplify the coverage experience for Aetna members that are candidates for their innovative, low-cost solution.”
Currently, SmileDirectClub SmileShops are open in 13 CVS Pharmacy locations in eight states. The expansion into hundreds more locations in 2019 is part of a potential expansion to over a thousand locations over the next several years, according to the press release.
SmileDirectClub SmileShops at CVS Pharmacy feature SmileGuides who assist with getting customers started. This can include a free 3D digital image of their teeth, teeth whitening kits, and information on the convenience and affordability of clear aligner therapy. According to the press release, a member of SmileDirectClub’s digital network of 240+ state licensed dentists and orthodontists will approve and manage a custom clear aligner treatment plan. Upon the treating doctor’s and the customer’s approval of the treatment plan, aligners are sent directly to the customer’s door. Through SmileDirectClub’s proprietary teledentistry platform, customers are able to check in with their doctor every 90 days and more frequently if necessary.
Customers can either walk-in to a SmileDirectClub SmileShop at CVS Pharmacy or schedule a visit online.
