Frequently asked questions

Booking

• Why can't I choose a provider for my initial visit?
  At Tend Dental, we practice something called team-based care, meaning our studio teams like to get to know each patient before placing them with a particular clinician. But don’t fret! All of our clinicians are amazing and we’re confident you’ll love whomever you’re paired with. If there’s a specific dentist or hygienist you would like to see, or if you’ve been referred to someone in particular, just give us a call at (212) 686-3686 and we’ll try our best to field your request. After your initial appointment, you’ll be seen by the same dentist for future visits, unless you want to make a change.
• How will I know which dentist or hygienist I'll be seeing?

  Before your visit, you’ll be able to view the clinicians you’ll be seeing right in the Tend Dental app! If you’re hoping to be seen by someone in particular, feel free to call us at (212) 686-3686.

• Can I request a different dentist or hygienist than I'm scheduled to see?

  Sure thing! Just give us a call (212) 686 3686.

• How do I reschedule or cancel my appointment?

  You can reschedule or cancel your appointment for free. Just visit your profile on either our website or in our app. If you run into any trouble doing so, please give us a call at (212) 686-3686.

• How experienced are your dentists?

  Our dentists are graduates of respected dental schools with training from highly-rated residency programs. Our dentists also regularly complete continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on all things dental.

• What services do you offer?

  We offer a full range of preventative, restorative, orthodontic, and cosmetic dental services. We typically see patients for routine checkups, implants, teeth whitening, veneers, Invisalign clear aligners, and so much more! Visit our services page to learn more.

• What if I need something that's not listed on the website?

  If a specific service you need isn’t listed, chances are we do it! Call us at (212) 686-3686 and we’ll be sure to take care of you.

• How do I book a follow-up visit?

  At the end of your first visit, we’re happy to schedule your next visit. Alternatively, you can always schedule an appointment in our app. If you run into any difficulty, just give us a call at (212) 686-3686 and we’ll help you find a time.

• Do you offer pediatric dentistry?

  In many of our studios, we do not see children under 13, but we are more than happy to recommend pediatric dentists. Just give us a call at (212) 686-3686.

• What if I want a second opinion

  If another dentist has recommended a procedure and you’re looking for a second opinion, we’re more than happy to provide one. Just give us a call at (212) 686-3686 to get a visit on the books. If you’re a Tend patient and your dentist recommends a procedure, you’re more than welcome to seek a second opinion. We provide in-house second opinions from other Tend dentists, or we can provide you with our proposed treatment plan to share with a dentist of your choice.

• Why do you require a credit card for booking?

  We require a credit card for booking to protect our clinician’s time. This is true even if your visit is covered by insurance. If your visit is fully covered, we will not charge you. And if any payment is required, you’ll only be charged after you’ve been seen.

• Why do I see a $1 charge on my credit or debit card statement?

  This is a temporary authorization hold, which allows us to validate your credit card. It will be voided within 3-5 business days, so you won’t actually be charged.

Your Visit

• Do appointments really start on time?

  We make a superhuman effort to start every visit on time. If you do have to wait, it probably won’t be long at all (promise!), so sit back and relax in our beautiful, modern studios.

• How long do appointments take?

  We schedule our appointments with enough time to provide thorough care while also ensuring your comfort and safety. We know how busy you are, and we won’t keep you a minute longer than necessary. That said, an exam typically takes 60 minutes, a whitening treatment runs about 70 minutes, and consults are generally 30 minutes long.

• When should I arrive for my visit?

  You should arrive for your appointment at least 10 minutes before your appointment in order for you to check you in and allow us to review your insurance information.

Insurance

• Do you take dental insurance?

  Absolutely. We partner with major insurers to get you great care at amazing prices. See if your exam is covered here.

• How do I know if you're in-network or out-of-network

  You can use our insurance checker to see whether or not your carrier is in-network. However, we accept all types of insurance (except DHMOs, Medicaid, Healthplex, and Emblem). To check your benefits, just head to our insurance checker or give us a call at (212) 406-3686.

• What if I don't have dental insurance?

  If you’re a new guest and don’t have dental insurance, an exam costs $375. This includes a comfortable cleaning (in the absence of periodontal disease), x-rays, and a personalized exam. Have other questions about pricing? Give us a call at (212) 686-3686.

• Does dental insurance cover fillings, crowns, implants, and other procedures?

  It depends on your insurer and the coverage you have selected. If you and your dentist decide to move forward with a procedure, we’ll run your insurance and give you our best possible estimate of what you’ll pay. Have questions about a specific procedure? Call us at (212) 686-3686.

• How much will my visit cost?

  Your out of pocket cost is based on whether or not you have insurance, who the insurance carrier is, your specific coverage, and the services you receive. We will work on your behalf to verify what your costs will be through your insurance. If you are booking treatment, our treatment planner will provide a detailed breakdown of your costs throughout your treatment plan. We will contact you before we charge you for any services.

• What if I have more questions about insurance?

  We know how daunting insurance can be, but that’s why we’re here to help. If you have any questions about your coverage, feel free to ask when you check in at our welcome bar. If you’d like more information before or after your visit, just give us a call at (212) 686-3686 and we’ll be sure to help.

• Do you collect a deposit for services?

  For some treatment procedures, we will collect a deposit of up to $250. This deposit will be credited toward your total treatment expenses. In the event you no longer wish to move forward with treatment, your deposit will be refunded.

Studio

• What is a studio?

  Studio is the word we use instead of “clinic” or “practice.” To us, “studio” feels healthy, proactive, and comfortable – a reflection of how we want your visit to feel. Our studios are modern, beautiful spaces decked out with state-of-the-art tech and the latest in-chair entertainment. Our 25 studios are conveniently located in 6 major metropolitan areas.

• Where are you located?

  Our 31 studios are conveniently located in 6 major metropolitan areas. See where we are.

• Will you be expanding?

  Yes! Subscribe to our email list to be the first to hear about new studio openings.

Whitening

• What does Tend use for in-studio teeth whitening?

  We use an innovative, clinically proven whitening product called Philips! Zoom, which yields fast, visible results.

• Why should I trust Tend Dental to do my teeth whitening?

  You can feel confident knowing your whitening treatment is in expert hands. Your dentist will choose the right shade for your smile and make sure are comfortable from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Using the advanced Philips Zoom system, we help you achieve a radiant, long-lasting brightness safely and with beautiful, consistent results.

• How much does teeth whitening cost?

  One Philips! Zoom whitening session costs $495.

• How long does teeth whitening last?

  It’s hard to predict exactly how long whitening will keep your smile brighter because this is up to you. Tobacco, red wine, coffee, and tea can all stain your teeth again. Avoiding these types of products can help your whitening last for many months.

• Does teeth whitening hurt?

  Whitening treatment can cause some mild temporary sensitivity, but can often be reduced or eliminated thanks to a desensitizing ingredient in the gel we use (potassium nitrate) and decreased exposure time.

• Is teeth whitening safe?

  Teeth whitening is completely safe. Dentists have been successfully whitening smiles for decades, and the procedure is very predictable. Although there is a chance of sensitivity for a short time afterward, it will not damage your teeth in any way, and the mild discomfort will only last a day or two.

Billing

• How do I access my account in your billing system?

  To securely view and pay your bills online, visit here and enter your Bill ID and date of birth. If you don’t know your Bill ID, click “Find Your Account” and follow the instructions for next steps. Additionally, if you received electronic bill notifications via text message and/or email, click on the link in the message to access your account directly.

• Where can I find my Bill ID?

  Your Bill ID is a 12-digit number that can be found at the top of electronic bill notifications you may have received via email.

• I don't see a recent visit reflected in the billing system; when will my bill be ready?

  Sometimes there's a slight delay between the time of your visit and when the bill is ready to view. We will alert you promptly when your bill is ready via text message and/or email, depending on your notification preferences.

• How do I pay my bill?

  Tend Dental gives you several ways to pay bills, including: The first way is to visit here to retrieve your account and follow the payment instructions. The second way is to click the link displayed in your text message and/or email notifications and follow the payment instructions. Lastly, submit your payment information over the phone by calling the pay-by-phone number listed at the bottom of the statement

• Which payment methods do you accept?

  Tend Dental accepts payment via credit/debit card, electronic check payment (ACH), Apple Pay (Apple devices), Google Pay (Android devices).

• What if I am unable to pay the total outstanding balance all at once?

  Tend Dental understands that paying dental bills can be difficult, and we offer flexible payment options to make it easier. Visit our billing portal to set up a custom payment plan by selecting the payment frequency, duration, and date of first payment. Make a partial payment by entering the amount that you wish to pay today. Note: You're still responsible for paying the total balance by the payment due date. Additionally, you can get help by getting in touch with our Member Engagement team at general@hellotend.com or (212) 686-3686.

• How do I sign up to receive or opt out of electronic bill notifications via text message and/or email?

  To manage electronic bill notification settings, access your account using our billing portal and go to “My Account” (click on the circle with your initials at the top right corner of the page). You'll be able to view the contact information we have on file for you as well as modify bill notification settings. If you don’t see your mobile phone number and/or email address listed, or if any of your contact information is incorrect, please call us at (212) 686-3686 to add or update it.

• How do you keep my personal and payment information safe?

  It’s our top priority to protect the security of your personal and financial information. Your online payment instructions are sent over a secure internet connection with industry-standard encryption (SSL), and electronic payments are sent through a payment processor with guaranteed protection against unauthorized transactions. Tend Dental and agents acting on our behalf will never share your personal information with anybody else.