Tend, Disrupting Dentistry
Tend, which launched in October 2019, is a company reimagining the dentist office. Lack of trust, feeling judged, and discomfort are some of the key complaints Tend is trying to rid of in its innovative approach to dental healthcare.
The company announced in April that it has raised an additional $125 million in Series C funding, ringing it in at $198 million in total funding since its launch.
In this drop, we sat down with Doug Hudson, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Tend, a company setting a new standard for oral health, starting at the dentist. As a serial healthcare entrepreneur — he was the founding CEO of teeth aligner company SmileDirectClub — he shares with us his vision for Tend.
Hi Gray: What inspired the creation of Tend and its focus on disrupting the dentistry world?
Doug Hudson: We've stepped into a $142 billion category that's completely antiquated, known for long wait times, surprise bills, judgment from practitioners and generally unpleasant experiences. We started Tend under the belief that going to the dentist shouldn't feel like it's 1984. We have completely modernized and refreshed the experience, making it something that people actually look forward to.
HG: So if you could describe the company in two sentences, what would it be?
DH: Tend is the world’s first member-obsessed oral wellness brand. We are technology-enabled and hospitality-driven — setting a new industry standard …