I thought that there was no way to improve the dentist.

The fluorescent lighting felt like I was under interrogation while little tools peeled away at my mouth until my gums were raw.

Not to mention dentists can seem a little skeezy. Oh, you took some blurry X-rays of my mouth and now you're charging me five hundred dollars for dental work?...That's cool.

Even the judgement can just be too much (ever been shamed for having a sweet tooth? It ain't a good time). I absolutely hate going to the dentist.

At least that's what I thought before my best friend introduced me to Tend, the oral care service that wants you to look forward to the dentist. Sounds crazy, right?

Tend believes in compassion. Even their name is a reflection of this ethos--taking the first four letters of the word "dental" and reworking them into a word about caring for others. Tend is here to reimagine the entire dental experience--from safety to comfort.

You might be asking, "How could Tend possibly be different from a traditional dentist?" or "How could someone make the dental experience even the slightest bit tolerable?" Have no fear!

We're here to answer any and all questions about Tend's game-changing service.

What makes Tend different from a traditional dentist?

It's upscale and affordable! Upon walking into any Tend location, you'll notice that it looks a bit different from your average dentist. Artwork lines the wall of the waiting room alongside sleek furniture that looks like it was manufactured specifically for a swanky hotel.

When you enter, the front-desk concierge greets you warmly and offers you a curated Brush Bag with some snazzy oral products. After completing their contactless check-in process, you are ushered into a cleaning room and given Warby Parker sunglasses to block out the light while also given the option to watch Netflix with high-quality Beats headphones.

But what about the actual dental work?

While Tend's "Millenial Aesthetic" was definitely enticing, I was sold once my friend told me how their dental procedures worked. I never knew that there was dental technology that was comfortable!

Tend invests in state-of-the-art technology such as 10-second X-ray machines that won't poke the roof of your mouth and other tools that produce accurate results without sacrificing comfort. They also stock a whole bunch of high-end dental products and will even send you home with a few!

Tend offers a full range of dental services that include check-ups, implants, Breezy braces (Tend's version of invisible braces), teeth whitening, and veneers.

So how exactly is Tend more transparent than the rest?

A comfortable experience is one thing, but a transparent experience is something entirely different.

Tend only hires 5% of clinical candidates to ensure customer satisfaction. Most importantly, Tend's oral care specialists are not paid a commission on procedures. That way you know you aren't getting ripped off or being asked to pay for a completely unnecessary procedure. Instead, clinicians are paid on a bonus determined by customer satisfaction.

This all sounds great, but how is this affordable?

You'd be surprised! Tend accepts all major insurance providers including Delta Dental, Aetna, and Cigna. If you're unsure whether or not you're covered, head over to Tend's website and simply enter in your email and insurer to find out. Tend also bills for services through your insurance provider, just like a typical dentist's office.

Wow, where can I check this out?

Tend offers a full range of dental services across each of their studios located in New York City. With locations in Chelsea, Wall Street, Williamsburg, Flatiron, Grand Central, and (soon-to-be) the Upper West Side, getting your teeth cleaned has never been easier.

After my initial visit, I realized that I was actually looking forward to my next dental appointment. Tend doesn't make oral hygiene a chore, but a service akin to a massage or spa. It's perfect for anybody who hates the dentist (AKA everybody).

Wait times for Tend are probably going to go up in the coming months so I'm making it my priority to frequent Tend as often as possible. I've neglected my teeth for so long and this is the perfect way to become more serious about my oral health.