Build Your Career as a Dentist at Tend

Tend dentists are distinguished by our clinical philosophy: we deliver dental experiences where every member is diagnosed comprehensively, educated compassionately, and empowered on their wellness journey.

We care about subtle, insidious conditions and patient risk factors. We educate our members without judgment and become trusted advocates for their total health.

Complete control. Treatment planning, clinical judgment, and patient care decisions are yours.

We have a clinical leadership team, including Lead Dentists and Market Lead Dentists, to provide support and guidance on standards of care and continual improvement.

Tend handles operations, scheduling, billing, marketing, and administration so you can focus entirely on dentistry. Nothing in our model overrides your clinical autonomy or professional judgment.

You'll walk into a well-booked schedule, a prepped team, and a morning huddle that sets the day up properly.

Your day is a mix of operative procedures, hygiene exams, same-day treatment opportunities, and aligner consultations. You have trained dental assistants chairside throughout, and our operations team handles everything that would otherwise pull you away from patients.

Most dentists see 8 operative patients per shift across a productive, varied case mix, in addition to hygiene exams.

Every dentist at Tend receives a guaranteed daily rate and is eligible for a bonus based on adjusted production, so your earnings grow as your production grows. Associate Dentists earn 30–40% of adjusted production, and Lead Dentists earn 32–40%, reflecting their expanded clinical leadership role.

The bonus, or variable compensation, is paid monthly based on the prior month's production. There are no hidden deductions beyond what's outlined in your agreement, and your comp structure is transparent from day one.

It depends on your production, but our compensation model is designed so that strong clinical performers earn meaningfully more than the market average.

We're happy to walk through an earnings illustration based on your current production during the interview process. You can also use the compensation calculator found on our careers page.

Malpractice insurance is fully covered by Tend at no cost to you. CE is included as part of your total rewards package. You are not responsible for supply costs or any of the operational costs of running the studio. 

Our dentists are responsible for their lab costs. Your agreement will outline exactly how lab fees are allocated so there are no surprises.

Full scope. You'll be doing restorative, endodontics, extractions, implant restorations, cosmetic procedures, clear aligners, sleep medicine, and therapeutic Botox for TMJ, depending on your experience and interest.

We actively encourage dentists to practice at the top of their license, and we provide CE support and clinical mentorship to help you expand your scope over time. If you want to grow into implants or complex restorative cases, this is a place that supports that.

 Our studios are built around modern, digitally-enabled workflows. You'll have access to in-studio 3D printing, digital scanning, AI-assisted diagnostics, intraoral cameras, and digital charting.

We invest in equipment that makes clinical work faster, more precise, and more satisfying, not equipment chosen for the lowest possible cost.

You'll have trained dental assistants chairside for every shift. Our Member Experience team handles inbound patient communication and scheduling.

Revenue cycle management — billing, coding, insurance credentialing, claims, and collections — is fully centralized and handled by our team, not you. Marketing drives consistent patient acquisition so you're not managing a slow schedule.

You focus on dentistry. We handle everything else.

Yes, and it's a real one. Associate Dentists who demonstrate strong clinical performance and leadership qualities can grow into Lead Dentist roles, which come with studio performance bonuses and meaningful influence over hiring, clinical standards, and team development. Lead Dentists can progress into Market Lead roles as Tend expands.

There is also an equity and partnership opportunity for dentists who want to invest in Tend's growth alongside us.

Lead Dentists are the clinical leaders of their studio. You mentor and coach Associate Dentists and hygienists, lead daily huddles and clinical calibrations, partner with the Studio Manager on scheduling and performance, handle complex case escalations, and help shape the culture and standards of your location.

In other words, it's a meaningful leadership role, not a title with no substance. Lead Dentists typically have 6 or more years of post-residency experience, a proven track record of clinical excellence, and experience mentoring and guiding other dentists to support their growth and development.

Our standard schedule for Associate Dentists is 4 days per week plus 2 Saturdays per month. We're not a 6-day-a-week model.

Traveling Associate Dentists who cover multiple studios also maintain consistent 4-day schedules, with mileage and transit support provided. Our Traveling Associate Dentists are also not required to work Saturdays.

You'll have a predictable rhythm, which matters whether you have a family, are building a side practice, or simply value having a life outside the office.

Our process is designed to be thorough but respectful of your time. It typically includes an initial phone screen with our Talent team, a video interview with both a Clinical Leader and an Operations Leader that includes clinical case assessments, and an in-person studio visit where you meet the team and experience the environment firsthand.

For most candidates, the full process takes two to three weeks. We move quickly when we're aligned, and we'll keep you informed at every step.

We'd encourage you to apply and have the conversation. Non-compete enforceability varies significantly by state, the specific terms of your agreement, and the geography involved. We regularly work with candidates in this situation. Our team can discuss the specifics of your location and circumstances, and we recommend consulting with an attorney if you have concerns about your existing agreement.

For Associate Dentist roles, we look for at least 2 years of post-residency experience in a private practice, DSO, or similar setting with a comparable patient base and scope of care. That means full-scope general dentistry — restorative, cosmetic, clear aligner treatment — and comfort managing a busy, multi-column schedule alongside assistants and hygienists. 

For Lead Dentist roles, we look for extensive clinical experience, typically six or more years post-residency, combined with experience leading, mentoring, and elevating the performance of other providers within a multi-chair practice. Lead dentist candidates have managed or mentored other dentists, taken ownership of clinical standards, and are ready to be the clinical leader of a studio and the people in it.

If you're earlier in your career and don't yet meet the experience threshold, we encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn and reapply when the timing is right. Many of our current Tend dentists joined us after spending a few years building confidence in independent treatment planning and multi-column workflows.

Yes, and this is one of the ways we genuinely differ from most DSOs, which typically don't offer paid time off to dentists at all.

As a full-time dentist at Tend, you receive paid time off that increases with tenure, paid company holidays, and paid floating holidays to use at your discretion. In your first year as a full-time dentist with us, you receive 5 days of PTO, with Washington, DC dentists receiving 56 hours in accordance with local law. PTO accrual increases as your tenure with Tend grows, recognizing the commitment you're making to our patients and to us.

Rest isn't a luxury. It's part of practicing at a high level. Offering real PTO is a reflection of that belief, not just a line item in a benefits package.

We believe taking care of patients starts with taking care of our providers. Here's what's included:

• Health and wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus access to Tend's own Dental Wellness Program so you can experience the care you deliver.
• Financial: 401(k) plan, life and AD&D insurance, FSAs, HSAs, and pre-tax transit and parking benefits.
• Protection and support: Full malpractice insurance coverage at no cost to you, legal support resources, an Employee Assistance Program, and health advocacy services.
• Professional development: $2,000 in annual continuing education reimbursement for approved courses, access to virtual and in-person CE programs, internal clinical forums, peer learning sessions, and direct engagement with our Chief Dental Officer and clinical leadership.
• Equity opportunity: Dentists at Tend have the opportunity to invest alongside us and share in our growth, a benefit most DSOs don't offer.