SmileDirectClub ends operations 'effective immediately,' but what about the customers? | The Hill
By: Jeremy Tanner (The Hill)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
by Jeremy Tanner - 12/08/23 5:41 PM ET
by Jeremy Tanner - 12/08/23 5:41 PM ET
(NEXSTAR) - After a bid to resurrect SmileDirectClub - the mail-based orthodontics services company - failed to find willing investors, the company announced Friday it was winding down its global operations "effective immediately."
It's likely unwelcome news for many customers, especially those who will still have to make payments despite no longer being able to receive aligners or customer care.
"For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, thank you for your interest, but aligner treatment is no longer available through our telehealth platform," the company said in a statement on its website. "For existing customers, we apologize for the inconvenience, but customer care support is no longer available."
The company referred anyone seeking care to consult with a local doctor or dentist.
SmileDirectClub said it has cancelled it's lifetime guarantee, along with all outstanding orders for aligners, but anyone on the company's SmileyPay Plan is still expected to "make all monthly payments until payment has been made in full per the terms of our SmilePay program."
Nexstar reached out to SmileDirectClub for comment on the payments, but did not immediately receive a reply.
For customers seeking refunds, the company said that there will be more information to come "once the bankruptcy process determines next steps and additional measures customers can take."
In 2019, the Nashville, Tennessee-based company went public with a market cap of nearly $9 billion.
The company attracted customers hoping to straighten their teeth for less than it costs to get braces from a traditional dentist office, but dentists, orthodontists and even the American Dental Association spoke out against the company's practices, which they said endangered patients. Skipping dentist checkups, they said, could result in serious dental disease and even lost teeth.
The do-it-yourself orthodontics company responded by filing multiple lawsuits.
As a publicly traded company, SmileDirectClub never turned a profit and racked up almost $900 million of debt by the time it filed for bankruptcy.
SmileDirectClub encouraged customers with questions to call HFD at 1-877-874-3877 or email support@gohfd.com.
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I shouldn't need to say it, but don't try DIY orthodontics.
The company's website says customers who were on their payment plan must still pay out their contracts, despite the discontinuation of customer service.
No you shouldn't but there are many people that simply cannot afford any other method, sad as that is but it's the American way.
The thing is, this can actually cause harm. Getting teeth moved around if the teeth and gums aren't healthy can cause tooth loss. Dentists were saying this as soon as Smile Direct Club started operations, but we were told we were just protecting our turf and wanted the money SDC was "saving" for these folks. SDC sued at least one orthodontist for publicizing a patient's really bad results with SDC.
I know orthodontics is expensive, but it's one of those things that if you can't afford, you're likely better off not trying a cheaper method.
meh, I've pulled a loose tooth before. saved a few bucks and I'm still here...
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Let The Buyer Beware, especially of purchasing from bankrupts...