Associate / Lead Dentist

Tend • Nashville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Tend, we’re doing dental differently — replacing the obstacles of traditional dental care with hospitality, comprehensive diagnostics, and moments of Surprise and Delight. For many of our members, we’re the first practice where they’ve felt genuinely at ease about their oral health. That trust is an extraordinary opportunity, and a real responsibility. As a Dentist at Tend, you’ll deliver best-in-class clinical care in a modern, thoughtfully designed studio. You’ll be busy from day one, treating a well-booked schedule of members across a full scope of operative, restorative, and cosmetic procedures — supported by an experienced clinical and operational team. We diagnose the whole person, looking beyond decay and gum disease to malocclusion, occlusal wear, and sleep-disordered breathing, so members leave informed, respected, and in control of their care. Depending on your experience and interests, this role offers the opportunity to focus on delivering exceptional clinical care as an Associate Dentist or to take on additional leadership responsibilities as a Lead Dentist — helping guide clinical excellence, mentor teammates, and hold the standard for your studio. Our model is built for driven dentists: those who want to grow clinically, take on complex cases, lead with confidence, and be rewarded for high performance. You’ll be part of a collaborative, energized team that’s raising the bar for dentistry — and having fun doing it. Compensation & Earning Potential Our compensation model is designed to reward high-quality clinical care, comprehensive treatment, and strong production—while providing consistency and transparency. All dentists receive a guaranteed daily rate and earn a tiered percentage of adjusted production, with: Associate Dentists: 30–40% of adjusted production

Requirements

• DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental school
• Current, active dental license in the state you’re applying for
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Active DEA registration
• Associate Dentists - Minimum 2 years of experience (post residency) in private practice, DSO, or similar setting
• Lead Dentists - Extensive clinical experience (typically 6+ years post-residency) and proven ability to lead, mentor, and elevate the performance of dentists within a multi-chair practice environment
• Comfort with modern technology and a willingness to adopt digital workflows
• Invisalign certification
• Ability to work a Part Time schedule consisting of 2 weekdays per week and 2 Saturdays a month.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods while performing clinical procedures.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to handle dental instruments and perform precise procedures.
• Adequate vision (with or without correction) to read charts, interpret radiographs, and operate clinical equipment.
• Ability to bend, reach, and maintain ergonomic positioning for patient care.
• Occasional lifting or movement of equipment and supplies up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, team members, and other healthcare professionals in person and via technology.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a full spectrum of high-quality clinical services—including restorative care such as inlays/onlays, crowns, veneers, endodontics, extractions, implants, and cosmetic dentistry—within Tend’s modern, digitally enabled studio environment
• Treat a dynamic mix of cases that go beyond basic dentistry, with opportunities to perform comprehensive, esthetic, and function-driven care
• Lead comprehensive exams that diagnose the whole person — every member leaves aware of their dental conditions and potential solutions in a way that is clear, confident, and efficient
• Develop thoughtful, member-centered treatment plans grounded in legitimate clinical findings and honest risk assessment, driving both oral health outcomes and case acceptance
• Diagnose and treat TMJ-related conditions, including the delivery of therapeutic Botox as part of a comprehensive care approach
• Identify and address malocclusion, occlusal wear, fracture lines, and sleep-disordered breathing early — using our tested frameworks, not scripts, to educate members compassionately and help them avoid more invasive, costly outcomes down the road
• Drive adoption and growth of clear aligner treatment, from diagnosis through case planning, bonding, and follow-up care
• Evaluate and treat members for sleep-disordered breathing, incorporating sleep medicine solutions into treatment planning where appropriate
• Build proficiency in aligner case selection, staging, and execution, contributing to a high-performing aligner program
• Partner with clinical leadership to expand advanced treatment offerings and continuously elevate clinical scope
• Manage a dynamic, productive schedule—balancing operative procedures, hygiene checks, aligner starts, and same-day treatment opportunities
• Be schedule obsessed by partnering with studio teams to build efficient and productive shifts—reviewing schedules in advance, strategizing in daily huddles, and offering same-day care when possible
• Drive production through proactive diagnosis, completion of full treatment plans, and efficient use of chair time—without compromising quality of care
• Deliver a hospitality-driven member experience grounded in the Three C’s — Personalized Care, Empowering Communication, and Human Compassion — bridging the knowledge gap so members understand not just what, but why
• Hold the line on our Priority Framework: safety first, then outstanding member experience, then efficiency — never trading one for another
• Partner closely with dental assistants, hygienists, and studio leadership to deliver coordinated, high-quality care
• Collaborate across disciplines to ensure alignment in treatment planning, execution, and patient experience
• Engage in ongoing clinical development, including calibration, CE, and peer learning to expand scope and skillset
• Mentor and coach dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants in diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical execution to elevate overall team performance
• Lead clinical onboarding, training, and ongoing development of providers, reinforcing Tend standards and best practices
• Partner with the Studio Manager to optimize scheduling, member access, and studio performance—driving both care outcomes and production
• Lead daily huddles and clinical calibrations focused on workflow, member care, and continuous improvement
• Review clinical outcomes (including re-dos and escalations) and implement solutions to improve quality and consistency of care
• Own complex cases and member escalations using our Empathy → Confidence approach — listen actively, recap concerns with warmth, and present a resolution. The provider holds the thread.
• Help build a high-performing, growth-oriented studio culture in partnership with clinical and operational leadership

Benefits

• Dentist Equity & Partnership – Opportunity to invest alongside Tend and share in our growth
• CE & Professional Development – Virtual and in-person CE opportunities and internal clinical forums
• Malpractice Insurance – Full coverage provided at no cost to you
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance — plus our own Dental Wellness Program
• 401(k) plan to help you grow your nest egg
• Life & AD&D insurance, legal support, EAP, and health advocacy
• FSAs, HSAs, and pre-tax transit and parking benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree