Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the dentist receptionist was rude, or AIBU?

84 replies

lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 14:11

I've been with my current dentist for just a year, and had a few NHS check-ups and some private treatment. I was supposed to have a check-up around a month ago, but on the morning of the appointment I woke up feeling unwell and did a lateral flow test which was positive (I know we're not supposed to test now but I have a whole box of tests so I thought I'd use one). I emailed straight away (as they were closed), and apologised for the late notice but I had just tested positive for COVID so needed to cancel my appointment. I asked if there were any charges I needed to pay and was told no, it was fine.

I rang up today to rebook my appointment and the receptionist said 'hmmph, there's a note on your file from the dentist that you keep cancelling appointments. Let's try and not cancel this one' in a sarcastic kind of tone. I just said ok as I was kind of taken aback.

I am under another NHS dentist for a wisdom tooth extraction, so I'm not sure if that comes up on my file? I've had to cancel that a few times due to work not allowing me to take time off as I'm in my 3 month notice period. I know it's rude but I can't really help it, and I have given plenty of notice each time.

I know IABU, but I just feel like I've been told off :(

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 21/04/2023 14:13

You were told off.

When you’ve cancelled before how much notice did you give?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 21/04/2023 14:14

Just do your best to keep this appointment and try not to let it upset you.

A lot of dentists around here would have taken you off their books for several cancellations though.

Arapawa · 21/04/2023 14:15

What do you mean "I know we are not supposed to test". What utter rubbish.

araiwa · 21/04/2023 14:15

Dentist appointments are like gold dust and you're just wasting them

You deserve to be told off and are lucky they'll book any more for you

SunnySaturdayMorning · 21/04/2023 14:15

Yeah, you should have been taken off their books by now. You were told off because your behaviour is unacceptable.

Daffodil92 · 21/04/2023 14:17

did you ask if they would want you to not attend? Isolation rules don’t apply any more and they may have preferred you to keep your appointment.

LuvSmallDogs · 21/04/2023 14:19

I know you're on probation with work, but if your tooth needs fixing, it needs fixing.

You'll have to say to your manager that your dentist is annoyed at you cancelling, you don't want to get taken off their books, and that if you don't get it sorted soon you're going to be in too much agony to be any good at work (whether that's true or not)!

Starhead69 · 21/04/2023 14:24

I honestly would have just gone to the appointment.

They will keep a record of missed NHS appts. I’ve been trying to find an NHS dentist for nearly two years after my practice cancelled my appointment. And refused to give me an appointment with another dentist in the practice, unless I paid private of course

Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 14:25

AnneLovesGilbert · 21/04/2023 14:13

You were told off.

When you’ve cancelled before how much notice did you give?

Once I gave a month's notice, and once a week's notice. They ask for at least 24 hours notice in the email

OP posts:
Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 14:28

Arapawa · 21/04/2023 14:15

What do you mean "I know we are not supposed to test". What utter rubbish.

"You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms"

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/

nhs.uk

COVID-19 symptoms and what to do

Find out about the symptoms of COVID-19, what to do if you or your child has them and when to get medical help.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do

OP posts:
Dulra · 21/04/2023 14:32

I normally make a provisional appointment and tell them I'll call back later when I've confirmed with work. Is that possible?
I just don't understand why you're making appointments you're not sure you can get to 🤔
Covid to is different you did the right thing there, people should not be spreading their covid germs

Skyliner1 · 21/04/2023 14:42

No longer required is different than not supposed to. I still test if I think I could have it because I would minimise my contact with others if I did. I would cancel a dentist appointment if I had COVID and I would expect the dentist would want me to.

SunnySaturdayMorning · 21/04/2023 15:06

lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 14:25

Once I gave a month's notice, and once a week's notice. They ask for at least 24 hours notice in the email

Show quote history

But why are you making and cancelling them in the first place? Make sure you’re free then book the appointment.

Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 15:10

SunnySaturdayMorning · 21/04/2023 15:06

But why are you making and cancelling them in the first place? Make sure you’re free then book the appointment.

Show quote history

They won't allow me to. It's not my usual dentist, they're based in a different town and I've never been there before. I was referred to them for the wisdom tooth removal (not sure why).

OP posts:
Fighterofthenightman1 · 21/04/2023 15:11

I can't get an NHS dentist for me or my kids

Yabu to keep cancelling appointments

SunnySaturdayMorning · 21/04/2023 15:14

lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 15:10

They won't allow me to. It's not my usual dentist, they're based in a different town and I've never been there before. I was referred to them for the wisdom tooth removal (not sure why).

Show quote history

Then you either tell work it’s a medical necessity (probation periods don’t actually mean anything) or you don’t go.

It’s really that simple. Stop wasting everyone’s time.

itmustbeexhausting · 21/04/2023 15:15

YABU. You needed told. Maybe now you won’t mess them around

Okunevo · 21/04/2023 15:20

Fighterofthenightman1 · 21/04/2023 15:11

I can't get an NHS dentist for me or my kids

Yabu to keep cancelling appointments

Same, all the NHS dentists at my practice went private and all the others are full.

Prescottdanni123 · 21/04/2023 15:37

Can workplaces actually stop you from taking time off to attend medical appointments? Can you not just arrange the dentist appointment on a day off or take a day's holiday, rather than making appointments and repeatedly cancelling them?

There is a difference between not being supposed to test and not being required to. Doing a covid test if you have symptoms is still advisable for loads of reasons.

Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 15:37

Ok I guess IABU. I only cancelled twice, and did give lots of notice. I'm in my notice period because I'm leaving my job, not probationary period, and from what friends have said they have needed a week off work after having their wisdom teeth removed.

I was a private patient at the time that I got the referral, the only reason this procedure has been referred to an NHS dentist is because it's a complicated removal and was supposed to be done in hospital. I am really scared about it to be honest, and I'm usually fine with the dentist. I'm not in any pain with my teeth, but my dentist wants them out

OP posts:
Frabbits · 21/04/2023 15:53

YABU.

People like you are (one of the) reason(s) why the rest of us have to wait months to be seen.

Daysoffarethebest · 21/04/2023 15:58

lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 15:37

Ok I guess IABU. I only cancelled twice, and did give lots of notice. I'm in my notice period because I'm leaving my job, not probationary period, and from what friends have said they have needed a week off work after having their wisdom teeth removed.

I was a private patient at the time that I got the referral, the only reason this procedure has been referred to an NHS dentist is because it's a complicated removal and was supposed to be done in hospital. I am really scared about it to be honest, and I'm usually fine with the dentist. I'm not in any pain with my teeth, but my dentist wants them out

A week off work?
I went to work three hours after having mine out, why would you need a week off?

Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 16:02

I really don't think cancelling an appointment with a month's notice is that bad... I'm not an awful person and not like this with other things, I think that's why the receptionist's comments upset me so much because I generally am reliable, responsible, etc. I thought giving a 1 month notice for cancellation was ok, as it allowed someone else to be given the appointment

OP posts:
Vexar · 21/04/2023 16:04

The appointments won't have been wasted.

I don't think you'll need a week off work.

Original poster
lalalalalaaaaa · 21/04/2023 16:06

Daysoffarethebest · 21/04/2023 15:58

A week off work?
I went to work three hours after having mine out, why would you need a week off?

Show quote history

I don't know, that's just what I've heard from friends and colleagues who had theirs removed. Apparently your jaw swells up and it can be quite painful? I have to talk/present a lot at work and presumed I'd also need some time off, too (but agree that a week does seem a lot)

OP posts: