The problem with breaking an appointment

Dental schedules fill up fast. There’s a lot people out there who need to see a dentist, especially one that is part of their insurance network. As a result, people have to make appointments weeks in advance. Because dental schedules fill up so fast, most patients will make future appointments while they are in the office for their regular appointment.

Sometimes, though, something’s come up, and you won’t be able to make your appointment. Maybe your boss won’t give you the time off. Maybe there’s an emergency. Whatever the reason, you won’t be there.

Here’s the problem: A good number of people were expecting to see you. It’s not as if a party was planned, but close. You may think you were coming to just get a cleaning, but there’s so much more that goes into it. Charts are reviewed, discussions are held, plans are made and even the simplest of treatments require preparation. In short, when you can’t make an appointment, you are truly missed.

But, we get it, things happen. All we ask is that you give as much notice as possible. Chances are there’s someone else who wants the appointment you can’t make, but we need time to get in touch with them – the more time, the better. If you give us less than 24 hours notice, there’s little to no chance that we’ll be able to get someone to take advantage of the opening.

In general, that kind last-minute cancellation just burns everyone from hair-stylists to heart surgeons. Some offices get so angry they won’t bother to reschedule last- minute appointment breakers.

We have a different approach. If you break an appointment with less than 24-hours notice, you’ll be charged a $50 broken appointment fee. If that seems steep, hey, there are some doctors who will charge you as much as they would’ve had you shown up.

We’re not trying to penalize anybody, but to encourage a little consideration. If you can’t make an appointment, let us know as soon as you know and with more than 24 hours in advance.