SmileDirectClub says it was misrepresented by NBC, claims dentists are 'integral' to company

Nashville, Tenn.-based SmileDirectClub says an NBC investigation into its employee practices misrepresents the teledentistry company, according to a Feb. 14 statement.

The NBC article revealed that hidden cameras at SmileDirectClub shops recorded employees failing to follow protocol when they told patients they didn't have to see a dentist before starting treatment.

SmileDirectClub said the NBC piece misrepresents the quality of care provided by dentists who use its platform and that it was "surprised by the journalist's blatant disregard for the facts and failure to include all of the accurate information we provided."

SmileDirectClub said NBC owes it to the public to correct its errors, offering these clarifications:

1. All treatment is supervised by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, including that of the patients interviewed by NBC, SmileDirectClub claims.

2. SmileShops employees are not dentists; they simply gather patient information for a dentist to review, according to SmileDirectClub.

3. With over 350 SmileShops and more than 1,000 team members, SmileDirectClub said it "is not surprising" that NBC was able to find "one or two" team members who failed to inform customers of the requirement of seeing a dentist.

4. Dentists are an integral part of SmileDirectClub's business model and the company is committed to oral care, the statement claims.

5. There is no investigation into SmileDirectClub by the FDA or the Federal Trade Commission, the company said.

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