Missed appointments - payment?

[poch]

Could someone give me a steer on this one? Just been called up by a local dentist's receptionist who's asked me to pay ?35 for a missed hygienist appointment. I did forget about the appointment which was booked four months ago. Totally my fault but I was texted in advance of my last dental appointment there (so probably presumed I'd be texted with a reminder for this appt). Do I just have to stump up the ?35? Is this normal practice? Just strikes me as a little severe for a first offence...

Just adding that hygienist is private - not part of NHS.

Thanks!

[DulwichFox]

I use Smile Dentist.. on North Cross Road.

For an Hygienist appointment you have to pay ?50.00 up front. Not refundable.

DulwichFox

[womanofdulwich]

I use half moon and I think you have to pay in advance for hygienist there too.

[PeckhamRose]

Did you sign a form agreeing to this effect when you signed up to the hygienist or the dental practice? Ask to see your form. Are there signs in the practice telling you of this as a warning?

To be fair to them they are self employed and you just lost them a bit of income.

But on their part why didn't they text you to remind you? They put you in a false sense of security that they would text you so that when they didn't it was not your fault if you were expecting to be reminded by text. I would remind them of all the above, and ask for a first strike as it were. If they refuse to give in, then find somewhere else.

[poch]

Thanks everyone. I did sign something when I joined the practice but I'm afraid I can't remember reading the small print! Probably should have read a little more closely. I totally agree that a loss of income for the hygienist is a problem, and it must be really annoying when people don't pitch up. My partner's dentists in West Dulwich don't have the same 'charge if you don't show' policy so was really wanting to gauge how common this sort of practice is. Will stump up the ?35 and will mention to the surgery how other dentists locally get round this problem. The paying in advance idea would definitely focus the mind!

[poch]

But yes Peckham Rose, agree that the text message first time round does blur the issue a little. I thought I'd get one this time round too...but ultimately my fault so will give them their cash...

[siousxiesue]

This happened to me once, in the dentist near Post Office LL. I was paying quite a lot over a few weeks/months and did pay the fine for missing an appointment, but when the dentist treating me went though my charges she refunded it!

[Robert Poste's Child]

That's the dentist I go to, siousxiesue. I've not (yet) missed an appointment there but they do take 50% of the cost of treatment up front before each appointment, which I guess is retained if you miss it.

Most dentists and other places that have a cancellation policy usually have a poster saying so in the reception.

[rendelharris]

siousxiesue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This happened to me once, in the dentist near Post

> Office LL. I was paying quite a lot over a few

> weeks/months and did pay the fine for missing an

> appointment, but when the dentist treating me went

> though my charges she refunded it!

Was that Nicola by any chance? Sounds like her - a wonderful dentist and lovely person - shame she's moved to Australia!

[malumbu]

Explain the situation, including expecting a text and ask that as a regular customer on this occasion whether they will not charge or reduce this as a sign of good will. I find that asking nicely often works.

[Robert Poste's Child]

You want to give that a try in the Hither Green stabbing thread, Malumbu!

[Jules-and-Boo]

Expecting a text? We expect a business to remind us that we have asked them to provide a service?

It's a nice bit of customer service but if the customer forgets they've made a booking, why should the business be out of pocket?

[nxjen]

Not having a go at the OP here but it's a bit scarey that "connectivity" in the form of text reminders is meaning we let others do our remembering for us and take responsibility for us. It's making us all too passive.

[JohnL]

nxjen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Not having a go at the OP here but it's a bit

> scarey that "connectivity" in the form of text

> reminders is meaning we let others do our

> remembering for us and take responsibility for us.

> It's making us all too passive.

The text reminder replaces that little card you got through the post (or am I the only person old enough to remember that :) )

[teddyboy23]

grit your teeth and pay up

[nxjen]

JohnL Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> nxjen Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Not having a go at the OP here but it's a bit

> > scarey that "connectivity" in the form of text

> > reminders is meaning we let others do our

> > remembering for us and take responsibility for

> us.

> > It's making us all too passive.

>

> The text reminder replaces that little card you

> got through the post (or am I the only person old

> enough to remember that :) )

I'm going to be so picky here but the cards we used to get through the post were reminders to MAKE an appointment, not a reminder to attend for an appointment already arranged.