Chewsi
Chewsi is a direct-to-consumer dental savings platform that connects insured and uninsured patients with a network of participating dentists offering discounted rates, free for members with no recurring fees. Founded in 2016 and operated under First Circle, Inc., the platform operates across seven U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersProvidence, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Chewsi does
Chewsi is a dental savings membership platform operated under First Circle, Inc., a Providence, Rhode Island–based parent company. Founded in 2016, Chewsi connects individual patients — both insured and uninsured — with a network of participating dentists who offer discounted rates on dental services, with members reportedly saving an average of 24% per visit. The platform is free for patients to join with no monthly or annual fees, distinguishing it from traditional dental insurance and discount dental plans; patients pay only for services rendered at the dentist's negotiated fee schedule.
The underlying technology is a web-based platform with an accompanying mobile app, featuring a Find a Dentist search tool, Cost Estimator, Savings Estimator, and an online payment portal that enables touchless, real-time charge authorization via smartphone. Chewsi processes payments through Authorize.net using SSL encryption and PCI Data Security Standards, and supports social login via Facebook, Google, and Apple ID. Dentists use the platform to submit charges electronically, customize fee schedules, and receive payment within two business days, with reimbursement capped at 81% of submitted charges.
Chewsi's business model is a transaction-fee take rate on dental services: the company retains the difference between what dentists submit in charges and the maximum 81% reimbursement. Distribution is dual-sided — direct-to-consumer self-registration through the website plus field sales to acquire dentist providers — with an additional employer benefits channel offering the platform as an employee benefit. As of available data, Chewsi operates in seven U.S. states (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Iowa) and is building toward a national provider network.
Chewsi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chewsi
- Legal name
- First Circle, Inc.
- Website
- https://chewsidental.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Chewsi is a direct-to-consumer dental savings platform that connects insured and uninsured patients with a network of participating dentists offering discounted rates, free for members with no recurring fees. Founded in 2016 and operated under First Circle, Inc., the platform operates across seven U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chewsi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dental Savings Network
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dental Discount Plans (Dental Savings Plans) (HLAEAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Group Dental Plans (Employer-Sponsored) (HLAEAIAG)
Keywords
Where Chewsi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Providence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chewsi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Transaction Fee from Dental Services: Chewsi generates revenue by taking a percentage of dental service charges. Dentists set their own fees with a maximum reimbursement of 81% of submitted charges, meaning Chewsi retains the difference. For services not on the dentist's fee schedule, Chewsi compensates at 25% off the dentist's fee.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free membership for patients with savings on all dental services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Dentist fee schedule with maximum 81% reimbursement |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Chewsi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chewsi is a free dental savings membership platform that connects individual patients with participating dentists offering discounted rates on preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures, averaging 24% in patient savings. The company monetizes by retaining a percentage of each dental service charge submitted through its platform (with a maximum dentist reimbursement of 81% of submitted charges) and processes payments through a mobile-enabled touchless payment system, while also providing dentists with new patient flow and reduced administrative burden.
Product overview
Chewsi is a single, unified dental savings platform that connects patients with a network of participating dentists offering discounted dental services. The platform consists of the core Chewsi web application and mobile app, supplemented by the Find a Dentist search tool, Cost Estimator for treatment pricing, and an online payment portal for dentists. There are no monthly or annual fees for members; patients pay only for services rendered. The platform serves both insured and uninsured patients, functioning as a complement to dental insurance rather than replacement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chewsi Dental Savings Platform A free dental savings membership platform that connects individual patients with a curated network of participating dentists offering discounted rates on preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services, averaging 24% in savings. Patients self-register online, search for nearby Chewsi dentists, view treatment costs via the Cost Estimator, and pay through touchless mobile payment for services at discounted rates.
- Chewsi Mobile App Companion mobile application for Chewsi members that enables dentist discovery, real-time charge notifications, in-office payment authorization, and savings tracking from a smartphone, supporting the touchless payment experience during dental visits.
- Chewsi Dentist Provider Network Onboarding Provider-side offering through which dental practices join the Chewsi network to access new patients, submit charges electronically at the time of service, receive payments within 2 business days, and avoid insurance claim administration. Practices set their own fees subject to a maximum reimbursement of 81% of submitted charges.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average 24% savings on dental visits
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Chewsi
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Chewsi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature4 records
Chewsi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.
- First Circle, Inc.coreFirst Circle, Inc. is the parent company and sole owner of Chewsi. The company focuses on delivering wellness solutions to the healthcare market, partnering with employers, associations, health care professionals, and other organizations to connect patients to solutions that help them stretch their health care dollars. Privacy Policy is governed by First Circle, Inc.
- Authorize.netcoreAuthorize.net handles secure credit card payment processing for Chewsi transactions. The service uses the latest SSL encryption technology and PCI Data Security Standards to ensure secure storage and management of credit card information.
- National and Local EmployerskeyChewsi has relationships with national and local employers offering the service as an employee benefit to full-time workers, part-time workers, and retirees. Employers include the service in their benefits packages to provide affordable dental care access.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Chewsi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DentalPlans.com: Operates a dental savings plan marketplace connecting consumers to participating dentists at discounted rates. Closely comparable business model to Chewsi, though DentalPlans.com typically charges a monthly membership fee while Chewsi uses a transaction-based model.
- 1Dental: Direct-to-consumer dental savings and discount plan provider offering reduced rates through a participating dentist network. Competes head-to-head with Chewsi for the same uninsured and underinsured patient segments.
Emerging players
- Bento: Tech-forward dental and vision benefits platform aimed at employers and individuals, with a modern digital experience. Overlaps with Chewsi in serving employers seeking a lighter-weight, non-traditional dental benefits alternative.
- Solstice Benefits: Provider of dental and vision discount plans marketed primarily through employers and associations. Comparable to Chewsi in targeting employer benefit channels with a non-insurance savings model, but typically still charges a membership fee.
Broad incumbents
- Humana Dental: Major US dental insurer offering individual, employer, and Medicare Advantage dental plans. Represents a large incumbent alternative that Chewsi's freemium model positions against in both insured and uninsured segments.
- Cigna Dental: Global health insurer with a sizable US dental benefits business, primarily sold through employer group plans. Comparable to Chewsi's employer-channel motion but operating as traditional insurance rather than a savings platform.
- Delta Dental: The largest US dental insurance carrier, covering more than 90 million Americans through employer-sponsored and individual plans. Represents the incumbent dental benefits model that Chewsi positions against as a simpler alternative.
- Careington: Established operator of dental and health savings plans, serving both consumers and employer groups with a broad portfolio of discount programs. A scaled incumbent in the same dental savings category Chewsi addresses.
- UnitedHealthcare Dental: Dental benefits arm of UnitedHealth Group, offering individual and employer-sponsored dental plans nationally. A scaled incumbent competing for the same employer benefits and individual dental savings dollars that Chewsi targets.
- Aetna Dental: CVS Health-owned dental benefits division offering employer-sponsored and individual dental insurance plans nationwide. A scaled incumbent whose employer relationships directly compete with Chewsi's benefits-channel motion.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Chewsi social profiles
Digital presenceChewsi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chewsi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Chewsi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chewsi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chewsi
What does Chewsi do?
Chewsi is a free dental savings membership platform that connects individual patients with participating dentists offering discounted rates on preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures, averaging 24% in patient savings. The company monetizes by retaining a percentage of each dental service charge submitted through its platform (with a maximum dentist reimbursement of 81% of submitted charges) and processes payments through a mobile-enabled touchless payment system, while also providing dentists with new patient flow and reduced administrative burden.
Is Chewsi a public or private company?
Chewsi is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Chewsi founded?
Chewsi was founded in 2016. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Chewsi based?
Chewsi is headquartered in Providence, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chewsi make money?
One revenue line is on record: transaction Fee from Dental Services.
Who are Chewsi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DentalPlans.com and 1Dental. Emerging players are Bento and Solstice Benefits. Broad incumbents are Humana Dental, Cigna Dental, Delta Dental, Careington, UnitedHealthcare Dental and Aetna Dental.
Does Chewsi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chewsi.
What industry is Chewsi in?
Chewsi's product category is Dental Savings Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAEAIAD, Dental Discount Plans (Dental Savings Plans), with a secondary code of HLAEAIAG, Group Dental Plans (Employer-Sponsored).