Tend, the first dentist that people actually look forward to, has opened its first studio in Nashville.
The new East Nashville location joins Tend’s 22 other practices nationwide. The company is known for creating comfortable and welcoming experiences for their clients from start to finish.
“Tend is dentistry the way it should be: hassle-free, personalized, and straightforward,” says co-founder and CEO Doug Hudson. “Dentistry is best known for long wait times, surprise bills, judgment from practitioners, and generally unpleasant experiences. In other words, it’s an industry ripe for disruption. We started Tend under the belief that going to the dentist shouldn’t feel like you’re stepping into a time machine. By reimagining the experience with beautiful, modern spaces, cutting edge technology, totally seamless digital booking, and incredible hospitality touchpoints, we wanted to make it something that people actually look forward to.”
From start to finish, visits to Tend are easy and inclusive. Patients can take control of their own scheduling thanks to online booking and an app to manage appointments. Practitioners offer clear explanations and straightforward services and don’t upsell patients on unnecessary products or treatments. Tend’s doctors and hygienists inform and encourage patients. (Goodbye, guilt trips for not flossing enough!) They also take a holistic approach, educating patients on the factors that impact oral health beyond brushing, such as sleep and diet. And if you’re one of the 36 percent of Americans who is afraid of the dentist, Tend is here to help.
“We tend to all, and that includes dental-phobes,” says Hudson. “We are hyper aware that many of our patients fall into this category and train our clinicians accordingly. Our amazing team members never judge, meet patients where they are in their oral health journey, and always go the extra mile to make them feel as comfortable as possible. We’ve read member reviews that have applauded our hygienists for quite literally holding a nervous patient’s hand through a procedure.”
If that’s not enough to make patients feel at ease, Tend’s office is a warm and welcoming space that cultivates calm. Guests will first experience the Welcome Bar, an appropriate name for the front desk where a warm wooden arch backdrop takes the shape of a smile, green tables and tiles further foster a Zen atmosphere, and that typical medical office fluorescent lighting is replaced with warmer, less harsh bulbs.
Next, step into The Brushery, a custom sink bar for hand washing and mouth rinsing, adorned with warmly lit illuminated mirrors perfect for a selfie moment. Inspired by brushing, swishing, and swirling, this space celebrates the sensory richness of everyday oral wellness and features chic custom sinks poured by Concrete Cat, an artist studio in Montreal commissioned to create a custom pattern to match the custom wallpaper that wraps The Brushery walls and ceiling.
The exam rooms, or “suites,” are comfortable and as well-appointed as a luxe hotel room. Design-wise, the colors are muted to soothe, and equipment is positioned out of the way to minimize clutter and intimidation. Plus, Tend suites include a designated personal area for members to hang their coats and bags, charge their phones, and freshen up at a vanity post-appointment. There’s even a screen where patients can watch their favorite shows.
“Our physical spaces reflect our ethos to ‘tend’ to all, and we leverage multiple design touchpoints to ensure that they’re welcoming, soothing, and friendly,” says Hudson. “Before you come in, we get in touch to gather your personal preferences and customize the visit specifically for you—down to the flavor of polishing paste and show you want to watch while getting your teeth cleaned.”
In other words, Tend is creating a dental disruption in the very best way.
“We started Tend under the belief that going to the dentist shouldn’t feel like you’re stepping into a time machine,” says Hudson. “By reimagining the experience with beautiful, modern spaces, cutting edge technology, totally seamless digital booking, and incredible hospitality touchpoints, we wanted to make it something that people actually look forward to.”
(962 Woodland St.; hellotend.com)