To ask how long you wait in the dentist?

[Heckneck]

My appointment was 10:50 and I've got to be at work for 11:40. AIBU to cancel if I've still not been seen by 11:20? Takes me about ten mins to get from here too work. Why are they always so late. Wouldn't mind if it was just a check up but they've buggered up my filling so now in pain.

Same it's usually a 45 min wait at least

About 30 minutes for me

10 mins tops - I'm a bit at some of you waiting that long !

I went last week and was only about 10 minutes behind schedule (mid morning appointment). I was very quick though so may have helped get him caught up.

It's awful here 30 mins now and still waiting.

I'd wait 10 mins.

On the bright side, if you leave, that will cut the waiting tine down for others behind you

An hour has been the longest. 45 minutes is the average.

Never waited less than 30 minutes.

Usually 20 minutes late. I don't know why but they are always running over. Waiting in a hot and tiny reception room with 3 kids is not fun.

I don’t wait a minute longer than my appointment time! It’s a private surgery though so that might be why.

Just a few minutes ... usually just long enough to read my horoscope in one of the glossy magazines they have in the waiting room . Can't believe some of you have to wait all that time ....... what's the point of having an appointment system?

Private dentist here, too.
I have said on a couple of occasions, after 30 minutes and in the "nicest" possible voice: "If there's much longer to wait I can always come back another day..." That has also been when I wasn't in pain.

But I do realise they might have had an emergency before my appointment and are still catching up.

But I do realise they might have had an emergency before my appointment and are still catching up.
They should still tell you though when you arrive. My dentist never says anything so I'm sat there getting more and more anxious. That & the repeated cancelled appointments are why I'm thinking of changing dentists.

I don't wait, I'm always called in at my appointment time... I don't live in the UK though.

That's why I always ask for the first appointment of the day. Obviously not an option for an emergency though.

Dentist here. We do try to run to time but cannot always and often people come in for a routine check up with problems which always takes longer.
Ask the receptionist how long they think it might be and say you have to be somewhere by X O'clock.
If they are NHS they will have Friends and Family Feedback forms fill one in and ask for the receptionists to keep waiting patients informed. It's a fair point not knowing how long the wait is especially when you have somewhere to get to just makes people anxious.

Always shown straight through. Can always get a same day appt for me or the kids. Dentist is amazing. Can’t fault it,

We pay privately £13per month each and we get two check ups and two hygienist appointments per year for that. There’s no NHS dentist where we are so no choice but to be private. They do treat the kids on the NHS though.

Usually seen on time or at the worst 5 mins after appointment time - and I'm an NHS patient in a practice that sees both private and NHS.

A friend once had an argument with her dentist after they tried to charge her a fee for not turning up for her appointment on time (she was 10 mins late which is a whole appointment if you are only having a check up).She told them she'd pay the fee as long as they paid her the same amount when they kept her waiting 10 mins! I don't think she won that argument though!

Previously at least 30mins because the dentist likes to have a chat with every single patient! I just want you to check my teeth!!! Now see a dentist that realises not everyone needs to be put a t ease and just gets on with it

Last time I went I'd waited half an hour past my appointment time & was working myself up into a frenzy of fear. I went to the reception desk to ask how much longer it would be (and to my embarrassment burst into tears while doing it :( ) but I had to wait while they told off a client for being late to their appointment. Even in my terrified state I could appreciate the irony of that.

I went in for a half-hour appointment once, and it ended up taking more than an hour. Just turned out more difficult then expected, for the dentist. Felt sorry for the next person waiting.

Never more than five minutes. It’s a private practice, with brilliant client centred care. The staff there are fully aware that, for many people, delays cause increased anxiety and a high likelihood that they’ll bolt out the door before being seen.

No more than 5 minutes and it's a busy nhs dentist surgery.

10 mins max or I am very likely to walk out. Private practice so I expect them to be on time for the money I have to pay.

They can't tell you if they have an emergency before you, that would breach confidentiality. They should make you aware if they are running late though. And having previously worked in a dentist I can tell you the biggest cause of running late was probably other patients coming late for their appointments. It has a knock on effect for the rest of the session. But to leave you half a hour without saying anything is rude.