Denist refusing to see dd

[EeTraceyluv]

Dd7 had a check up booked for today at 1.45. We went out this morning and left in plenty of time to get back. Unfortunately there was an accident on our way back and we were held up. DH called the dentist and explained saying we would be slightly late. Got there 4 minutes late and the receptionist spent 4 minutes finding out if we could go up. They said she couldn't be seen as we were late so h got a little stressed and said 'last time we were here we waited three quarters of an hour to be seen!' Dentist wouldn't budge. AIBU to be astounded and appalled??

[EricNorthmansFangbanger]

YANBU. There was a good reason for you running late, it's not like you just couldn't be arsed turning up on time is it? Stuff like this really annoys me. It's the same at the doctors surgery too. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to wait at least 15 minutes past my appointment time to see the doctor.

[hellsbellsmelons]

NO YANBU.
I used to work as dental nurse.
Lots of people are late and early and unless they were very late we would always try to fit them in. Especially kids.
4 minutes is nothing and they are being VU IMHO.
I'd be finding out who to complain to.

[TylerHopkins]

If you were genuinely only 4 minutes late and you had already rang ahead to warn them then that is really poor.

[NotYoMomma]

I was 4 minutes late too this week (physio appointment overran) and was seen - I called just as you did - they even checked out dd (1) for me sana appointment



was it nhs or private

[HeySoulSister]

I bet everyone who is late uses similar excuses though

[NotYoMomma]

we were nhs btw

[cheerfulweather]

What did they say to your dh when he rang to tell them you would be late?

[TabithaStephens]

Were you really only 4 minutes late?

[cheerfulweather]

Yanbu

[EeTraceyluv]

Dh wants to let it go but I am really pissed off - it was genuinely 4 minutes, then 4 minutes of the receptionist faffing. I will complain. NHS.

[EeTraceyluv]

We checked the time when we got there - it was 2:49 as we walked through the door. When he called, she said 'ok, thanks for letting us know, we will see you soon'..

[EeTraceyluv]

I mean 1.49!!

[WorraLiberty]

Yes but if your DH rang ahead, the dentist (knowing you'd be late) obviously started on the next patient.

If he/she had a full book after that, they couldn't possibly have fit your DD in I expect.

[eurochick]

That is ridiculous. Complain to the practice manager.

[TheSurgeonsMate]

Yanbu. Unless you got an actual explanation that there was an actual difficulty today with fitting her in, change practice, that's no kind of dental service.

[TheSurgeonsMate]

Worra If that's right it would have been helpful to say "Don't bother coming in," and not arse everyone around.

[tobiasfunke]

God no - YADNBU. Some people are just power mad.

We had a podiatrists appointment for DS. We got caught in roadworks near the podiatrists - it took us 40 minutes to go 2 miles. In the end I had to get DS out of the car and drag him the last mile on foot. I phoned to let her know. We were less than 10 minutes late. She tutted and huffed and refused to accept my apology. Apparently I should've know about these roadworks despite the fact we live 40 miles outside of the city. She did see us but obviously wasn't happy.

The time before she fitted in an extra patient before us despite the fact we were early and I had to keep a 3 year old amused for over an hour. No apology from her.
It was a very expensive private appointment. I am now looking for a new podiatrist. You should look for a new dentist if you can.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I'm a podiatrist (NHS) but I don't treat children.

We have a 10 minute 'leeway' (20 minute appointment) but TBH I will 99.9% see a late patient even if they've completely missed it. Though in the case of being 10+ minutes late they'd be given the option of waiting to the end (ie my lunchbreak) not squeezing an appointment in and making everyone else late.

The only exceptions would be:

Dial-A-Ride or Taxi (if the taxi was late)
Snow
A very imobile or elderly escorted patient (eg someone brings them in)
Dementia
I'd see them as soon as, and put a note up "Clinic Running Late"

When patients phone (our booking office not us) they will say "if you are 10 minutes late you won't get seen"
That puts alot of pressure on us, the patients come in and they DO expect to be seen. I'd prefer the office rebooked them when they phone.

"I'm running 10 minutes late" is rarely the case. And phoning doesn't stop time.
You can't rely on the next patient being early.

And if I get told once more "I'm always kept waiting" I will combust.

I wait till after the appointment to see if they apologise, if they don't then I'll tell them the 10 minute policy and they would be refused in future.
Some patients do take the p* though.

4 minutes does seem harsh and I can't see how they could justify it really.

[EeTraceyluv]

It just seems a bit unnecessarily unkind. They could have seen the next patient then seen dd when we turned up - thus not actually putting anybody out! It was a check up not major surgery! I have written an email to the practice asking for an explanation.

[EeTraceyluv]

It would have been fine had she said when dh phoned - well, it would be best if you make another appointment then. That would have been fine!!

[EeTraceyluv]

*excessive use of 'fine'. Fine

[GemmaTeller]

Yes, I've had this at the dentist.

Massive tailback on the way there so I rang and said I'm definately on my way but theres a big tailback on the road, receptionist said OK, we'll see you when you get here.

Got there half an hour late and apologised, said I was the one who had rang etc etc.

At the same time a man was at the desk asking when he was going to be seen as he had been waiting 45 minutes.
So, seeing as there was a 45 minute wait, technically I wasn't late.

Receptionist went to see dentist, who said No, I couldn't be seen as I hadn't turned up on time (even though I wouldn't have been seen at the correct time anyway).

Receptionist asked if I wanted to make another appointment....eeeer no!

Two weeks later I got a letter off the dentist telling me off blah blah blah for not turning up for an appointment!

Oh yes, I enjoyed replying to that letter, copying in the dentist, the practice manager and the local NHS manager.

[AKissIsNotAContract]

I always see patients who arrive late. Exceptions are if they are so late that they have run into lunchtime or closing time.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

I have never ever ever, been seen on time for a dentists (or doctors) appointment, Even when I had the first appointment of the day I was seen 15 minutes after the time of the appointment.

YANBU.