About Our Dental Office

Eco Dental in Hickory, NC

Dr. Bhende has been practicing dentistry for over 14 years. He received his BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree from India. He went on to do a residency and then practiced in India before coming to the United States. He attended Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine where he graduated with Honors and received his DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree in 1999. He later attended New York University for training in Implant Dentistry. He received a Fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI) in 2003.

Dr. Bhende moved from NJ in 2006 to settle in Hickory. He lives in Hickory with his 7-year-old son. He started his own practice EcoDental in 2010 at Hickory to serve the Western Piedmont area.

Dr. Bhende has always been enthusiastically involved in the community. In India, Dr. Bhende has given free consultation and treatment in several villages for the underprivileged population. He volunteered for the “Special Olympics” dental screening for patients with special needs in Boston in 1998 and 1999. He was featured in the newspaper “The Boston Globe” for the same. Dr. Bhende has also served in the US Army. He was deployed for the mission, “Operation Noble Eagle” in 2005. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Captain after serving the country for 8 years.

In North Carolina, Dr. Bhende has volunteered for the dental bus sponsored by the NC Baptists Association to provide free dental treatment for underprivileged children and adults in Hickory, Lenoir, Newton, and Conover areas. He has also volunteered to provide dental treatment for children in need at the Viewmont Baptist Church. He was the past president of the Western Piedmont Dental Society. He has also volunteered for the NCMOM clinic to provide free dental treatment to the needy. Dr. Bhende has also been an integral part of facilitating the NCMOM clinic in Hickory in 2012. Dr. Bhende provides free dental treatment at the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) on a regular basis.

Dr. Bhende also supports causes like the Child Fund, WWF, Salvation Army, Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM), Shriners Circus, UNICEF, and Doctors without Borders by making financial contributions on a regular basis.

Dr. Bhende will provide several additional services in the practice. He is proficient in the placement and restoration of dental implants. He also does cosmetic dentistry including whitening, veneers, crown and bridge inlays and onlays. If you have loose-fitting dentures or partial dentures, he can provide economical implant solutions to improve the fit and enable you to enjoy your meals again. Dr. Bhende also offers Invisalign treatment which involves straightening teeth with clear retainers. If you or someone you know is apprehensive about dental treatment, Dr. Bhende is trained to provide oral Sedation for your comfort.