About
Tend Dental Flatiron, situated at the iconic address of 29 E 21st St in the heart of New York City, represents a revolutionary and thoughtfully designed approach to oral healthcare. More than just a dental office, Tend is a meticulously crafted experience built on the foundational belief that going to the dentist should be something to look forward to—a notion that dismantles decades of dental anxiety and clinical sterility. Founded on a vision to redefine the industry standard, Tend has rapidly become synonymous with hospitality-driven, patient-centric care in a serene, technology-forward environment. The Flatiron location, nestled in one of Manhattan's most vibrant and historic neighborhoods, embodies this ethos perfectly, serving a diverse community of professionals, families, and residents who value both exceptional health care and exceptional service.
The history of Tend is a story of intentional innovation. The company was launched by a team of healthcare entrepreneurs and clinicians who recognized a profound disconnect between the advanced dental medicine being practiced and the often stressful, confusing, and inconvenient patient experience surrounding it. They set out not merely to open another dental practice but to build a national brand that could deliver consistently outstanding, accessible care. The Flatiron clinic is a flagship example of this vision brought to life, designed from the ground up with the patient's emotional and physical comfort as the primary blueprint. Every element, from the booking process to the ergonomic chairs and ambient lighting, is engineered to cultivate calm and trust.
The mission of Tend is unequivocal: to make world-class dental care more accessible, comfortable, and understandable for everyone. This mission manifests in a clear, transparent approach to treatment and finance, a relentless focus on preventative care, and a hospitality mindset that treats patients as honored guests. The expertise at Tend Flatiron is rooted in a collaborative clinical model. The practice is staffed by highly skilled dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants who are selected not only for their professional credentials but also for their empathetic communication skills and alignment with Tend's patient-first philosophy. They leverage state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology, including digital scanners, intraoral cameras, and advanced imaging, to provide precise, efficient, and minimally invasive care.
What truly sets Tend Dental Flatiron apart is its unique value proposition, which seamlessly blends five core pillars: unparalleled hospitality, cutting-edge technology, transparent pricing, exceptional convenience, and design-led environments. From the moment a patient steps into the serene, airy space—more reminiscent of a boutique hotel lounge than a medical office—the difference is palpable. The administrative burden is eliminated through a seamless digital interface for scheduling and reminders. During treatment, patients are offered amenities like noise-canceling headphones, warm neck pillows, and curated entertainment options, transforming a routine cleaning into a moment of respite. Crucially, Tend demystifies dental care with upfront, membership-based pricing and clear explanations of treatment plans, fostering a relationship built on trust rather than transaction. This holistic commitment to reimagining every touchpoint of the dental journey positions Tend Dental Flatiron not as a mere service provider, but as a vital wellness partner for the New York community, proving that exceptional dental health and an exceptional experience are inextricably linked.
Additional Details
Specialization:
Comprehensive general, preventative, and restorative dentistry with a strong focus on patient experience, hygiene, and cosmetic services.
Education & Certifications:
Tend dentists are licensed DDS or DMD practitioners. Specific provider credentials vary by clinician but typically include degrees from accredited dental schools, and many pursue continuing education in areas like cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, implantology, and endodontics. Exact certifications for individual dentists at the Flatiron location are not publicly listed in aggregate.
Professional Memberships:
Dentists at Tend are typically members of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA).
Awards & Recognitions:
Tend, as a brand, has been featured in major publications like Vogue, The New York Times, Forbes, and Allure for its innovative approach to dental care. Specific awards for the Flatiron location are not separately distinguished from the brand's overall recognition.
Pricing & Insurance:
Tend operates on a transparent membership model for uninsured patients (the Tend Membership), which includes two cleanings, exams, x-rays, and a discount on other services. They also accept most major dental insurance plans (e.g., Delta Dental, MetLife, Aetna, Cigna, Guardian) and file claims on behalf of patients. Specific fee-for-service pricing is available upon consultation.
Customer Reviews
I just had a root canal this morning by Dr. Johnny Kim and it was the most painless and actually enjoyable (thank you, nitrous) experience! Dr. Kim tried hard and succeeded at saving my molar which was a tough case. Dr. Kim is amazing and it’s clear he’s highly skilled & trained (top schools and programs, I always google ha). The whole staff was super caring and asked often how I was doing. The place is super nice and clean too so that’s another plus. Highly recommend all around!!!!
The best thing since sliced bread. The environment is calm, clean and friendly.
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Love my Dr Nicole. I kid you not I would be happy living in this dental office. I Got a wisdom tooth extraction same day of my cleaning, I was out in 7min, no pain JUST PRESSURE.
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It’s been a week and 3 days, my socket is already closed and healing perfectly. They called and checked in on me to make sure I was doing okay during that period.
I had such a great experience at this dental office today. The staff and dentist were extremely helpful, caring, and made me feel comfortable the entire time. I went in feeling a bit sad, but their kindness and conversation really lifted my spirits. The service was professional, and they truly care about their patients. I would definitely recommend this office and will be going back anytime I need dental care!
Having a root canal is never fun. Or even pleasant. But if you have to have one (as I did), I can think of no better place than this. Transparent, caring, and keenly aware that you’d rather be doing almost anything else, they are top-notch pros here who have your care and comfort top of mind.
This location is better than any of the other Tend locations due SOLELY to the dental techs and dentists (front desk staff is horrible - rude, unhelpful and completely untrained in ADA law). How they have a single good review is beyond me. My Invisalign process has taken over 2 years when they told me it would be a 6 month process. They kept changing my orthodontist and have extremely limited appt availability.
The customer service/front desk woman I just spoke with about rescheduling because there was a mix up causing me to miss my appt was super rude and raised her voice to me when I was just trying to work together to find a solution to my scheduling problem. She took an angry rude tone saying "youre trying to find a solution but how can I find you a solution when there are no appointments available." I then asked if she could add me to a cancellation list -- what do you know, she could, but did she offer that before she yelled at me, or try at all to help me? No. Then magically a sooner appointment appeared, but it's still not for another month, and I won't be surprised if they try to charge me $100 for missing an appointment I never confirmed.
Anyway now I'll have been waiting 2 mos to get the aligners I need to finish this godawful process. I wish I went literally anywhere else for this but I've already paid an insane amount of money, so I have to finish the process through them.
EDIT 5/8/25 -- Back to add to my review because yesterday I was in and the front desk refused to allow me to be seen with my service dog (12 lb hypoallergenic breed, registered, with paperwork available). Despite my having the paperwork readily available and offering to show them, they refused to even look at it, which is a blatant violation of ADA law. The manager was laying on the couch in the lobby eating McDonalds out of a bag on the floor (which I'm sure is some type of healthcode violation). When I asked her to confirm for the record that she was refusing to allow me into my appointment with my service animal she said "I'm actually in a meeting," got up, walked away and hid in the break room, leaving her McDonalds trash on the floor in the lobby. They promised to provide me with written documentation that they would not allow me to be seen with my service animal and that they would not view the paperwork which they assured me they would and never did. I’ve reported the incident to the NYC commission of human rights and will be pursuing legal recourse.
Another update! They canceled the follow up appt for tomorrow that I booked weeks ago with no notice or update. Had to call to confirm. This is the 3rd time they’ve done this.
Update! 9/11/25 — I went in to the city 2+ mos ago to pick up trays that they confirmed were there and they were not! So they wasted my whole afternoon for no reason. They promised they’d mail them to me, got the doctor to approve and everything and then never did. When I called a few weeks ago to inquire front desk mgr was rude and said I’d need to wait for the dr to approve even though she already had, they just didn’t bother to read my chart. Another month later they still haven’t been mailed. They responded to this review with their lil PR spin but I can assure you I’ve spoken to them at this email address they provided multiple times and nothing was resolved
