Waiting room times - how long should you wait?

[Chiavennasca]

I’m currently sat in my dentist waiting room for an appointment at 12.30. It’s 12.34 as I write this. I’m on my lunch break from work.

How late do you think is acceptable? Not just for my situation but for any waiting room appointment scenario - how long would you wait before saying something?

Look at their policy for clients and if it says you can’t be 10 mins late for example then apply the same to them

I generally expect delays and wouldn't say anything for at least 20 minutes.

Posting about this on Mumsnet after less than five minutes of delay seems rather extreme.

And then what? You leave without having your teeth checked?

Doctors and dentists sometimes need to deal with complications and emergencies. Id probably ask the receptionist after 20 - 30 minutes

Nowadays, I would be happy waiting 15 minutes or so before checking that I had not been forgotten. However, if I was on my lunch break, I might be more anxious about more than 10 minutes.

Maybe ask the receptionist?

I’ve been kept waiting over half an hour before. I kind of expect ten minutes minimum.

Most dentists will charge you if you leave like this

.. after which you do what?

No I meant that is the time you start asking them is there a delay and let them know you have a limit before needing to get back to work

This is something in like that pisses me off hugely. If I have a 12:30 appointment then I expect to be seen at 12:30. My local GP surgery thinks nothing of leaving you in the waiting room for an hour.

It doesn't matter if you have a time limit. They're not keeping you waiting for fun which means they can't really do anything about the delay.

I've waited 30 minutes before now and even longer for a vet. I assume that dentists and doctors will be running at least 10 minutes late and if I'm in before then I count myself very lucky!

I wouldn't know, I've never done it. Seems like cutting your nose off to spite your face.

They're only allocated 10 mins per patient

it's a shit system but I don't think the GP has control over it

though now I'm wondering who does...🤔

On one hand it’s not fair because they’re the ones keeping you, on the other hand you’ve wasted time another patient could have. My dentist charges £1 per minute of missed appointment.

This can’t be the case surely, what if people need longer treatments like RCT?

Ignore me, totally misread who you were replying to

If one had an appt and it gets to the point where I have to leave soon to pick up dc I’ve said and they’ve seen me ahead of others who don’t have anywhere to be at a certain time

They should have a timer

Unfortunately I never expect to be seen on time. I usually give it about 15 mins after my appointment time and ask, if nothings been said. Although my dentist is good at telling you when you check in if they're running late

They can’t be exact though
someone is having a heart attack and needs monitoring and an ambulance
someone just diagnosed with cancer and needs to talk to someone
referrals to hospital (that’s been me before where I’ve had to wait while they ring the hospital and send me there)
mental health issues take longer to deal with

was I pissed off waiting 90 mins for a haematology appointment? Sure. But I’m not going to complain as I know from when I had a diagnosis they took 45 mins to sit with me and explain stuff

depends - how far away is your dentist ie close to work or bit of a journey? What are you having done, quick check up or dental work?
I would probably give it about 15-20 mins & then check with reception you haven't been missed

My gynaecologist is usually at least an hour late. But he’s fabulous so I don’t mind waiting. There’s been times when I’ve called in the morning to check if they’re running on schedule and they’ve said no, come late.

I take the view that I’d rather they were thorough. And if it means it runs over then so be it. One day it will be my appointment that has to run overtime .

When you've experienced being the emergency first hand you become more tolerant.

You never know what is going on behind the closed door.

My dentist never keep me waiting, fi anything I get seen early if I am there early - 10 mins and I would start to wonder if I had been checked in properly.
Doctors - I can sometimes be waiting half hour to an hour.
Other appointments it depends. Hospital are particularly bad. The longest wait was 3 hours. I was the first appointment on the list so god know what happened there (not a department that gets emergencies). I asked after about half hour and was told they would start when they were ready