To think the dentist shouldn't charge me for cancelling?

[SneakyGremlins]

Have a dentist appointment at 2PM today, but emailed this morning to cancel as I have been vomiting off and on overnight and thing I'm coming down with something. Dentist acknowledged email but said they would "probably" still have to charge for a late cancellation.

AIBU to think this isn't fair? Do they want me to go in and throw up?

Lolly I'm just thinking that if due to a genuine illness I miss an appointment that is free because I cannot afford to pay normal rates, and am on ESA, a cancellation fee isn't fair in this circumstance. They are aware I have minimal income, they are aware I can't pay for treatment normally, so they should be aware I can't pay a cancellation fee.

I did say upthread that they have waived it.

OP, I'm glad they have waived the fee, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

I don't expect that an NHS dentist would have any difficulties filling the OP's appointment slot. I had a dry socket a few years ago, and found myself at the dentist several times, often at short notice, over the period of a few weeks. There were always at least one or two patients waiting for an emergency appointment, and going by what I overhead the reception staff saying on the phone, there were many more people looking for cancellations than there were cancellations available.

The OP gave at least 5 hours notice. She wasn't a no-show. Someone else got her appointment.

I'm feeling better now, slightly, thanks to those who asked.

I emailed before they opened at about 8AM, so they would have seen the email before they opened the actual surgery, and phone lines. So my appointment would have been made free, so the first person ringing when they opened will have been offered it. I think so anyway.

Glad they waived it.

As for the luck of being so ill that you get free dental treatment, I’ll let my wheelchair bound sister know how lucky she is.

Lolly I'm just thinking that if due to a genuine illness I miss an appointment that is free because I cannot afford to pay normal rates, and am on ESA, a cancellation fee isn't fair in this circumstance. They are aware I have minimal income, they are aware I can't pay for treatment normally, so they should be aware I can't pay a cancellation fee

Do you think in that case that everyone receiving free treatment due to being on benefits should never be changed for short notice cancellations or did not attends? Cos that would end up costing the dentist a fortune and make it difficult for people to get appointments when they need them. There has to be some deterrent or more people will do it. I know you were genuinely ill but they have no way of knowing and everyone claims they’re ill if it means dodging a charge!

AdoraBell are you genuinely unable to understand my point or are you just being nasty for the sake of it?

Not everyone who receives benefits is on the bones of their arse skint btw, so the dentist has no reason to assume that being on ESA means you can’t afford a cancellation fee. You only become ineligible for most benefits once you have £16k in the bank. Some people who are doing fine financially take a bad turn and start claiming, some people claim but are doing well financially as they’re supported by partners or family, and so forth.

I guess it doesn’t matter anyway as businesses would crumble if they only implemented charges or bills when a customer said they could afford it.

Just to say dentists in Scotland ARE legally allowed to charge for missed appointments or those cancelled at short notice. And no, the slot isn't always immediately filled. I spent an hour this afternoon trying to fill holes created by cancellations in tomorrow's appointment books for 4 dentists, and I still didn't get them all filled. Funnily enough people often need more than 24 hours to make arrangements to get away from work or for childcare so they can attend, or have other commitments they can't move at short notice. FWIW, most dentists i know will turn up for work even if they are unwell or injured, as they hate inconveniencing their patients.

Anyway, I’m glad they waived it for you. I just do think it’s not unreasonable to issue a charge for short notice cancellations, and they’ll have made that clear when you signed up.

And I maintain that it is very lucky that in this country if you’re on benefits you get free dental care, it’s extremely expensive so being given it for free is a huge boost. I never once said that someone is lucky to become disabled or unwell, for the benefit of some of you who struggle to read.

Fucking hell. Did I really just read that? We're back in let them eat cake territory again.

@LollyPopsApple

If you want to start a benefits bashing thread feel free to start a new one instead of being spiteful to an OP on a low income who is anxious about a charge which the dentist is not even entitled to make.

That is part of the contract wrt to NHS patients and part of running a business. Just like it is for GPs

You want to change that? you want to campaign for more help for low income families? Great go and do it.

The fact that you choose instead to snipe about someone at the bottom getting some basic healthcare in return for their taxes over the years says far more about you than her.

You’re a real delight lolly

Huh? I’m not sure why you think I’m benefit bashing? I’m pro benefits and glad we have a welfare system, and don’t remotely begrudge anyone using it. The fact that we get free dental care while on benefits is a good thing, and we’re extremely fortunate.