Missed dental appointment

[anxiousatnight]

I failed to attend my children's dental appointments this afternoon. No excuse, I was out and completely forgot. I feel terrible because I know how many people are desperately trying to access NHS dental treatment.

This is our first 'no show' offence. Is it likely we'll be deregistered or do you think we'll get away with it this time?

My practice would charge £15 for a missed appointment.

I'm happy to pay a fine, it's entirely my fault. I just really hope they don't deregister us

If it's an NHS dentist, they can no longer fine you for missed appointments (if it's just a routine appointment). They can however deregister you, especially at the moment when NHS dentists are so sought after.

Did you phone immediately after you realised? If you leave it more than 24 hours it is more likely to result in removal.

I realised ten minutes after the surgery closed. Our appointment was at 3pm and the surgery closed at 5pm. I will absolutely ring them in the morning as soon as they open and grovel.

My dentist (nhs) has, for years, sent a text message to remind me. Does yours not do that? Perhaps suggest it to them?

It costs several thousand pounds to buy the software , the licence to run it is around £600 a month plus the cost of texts. Most NHS do not have the spare cash to do this in the current climate where dental inflation is running so high .

My dentist made it very clear that any no show without 48hrs notice would mean automatic deregister.
We'd been on the waiting list 2yrs & the waiting list is even longer now!

Phone them first thing and apologise profusely
what else can you do
hopefully they’ll let you rebook

we would

They let me rebook - phew!