To think the dentist receptionist was rude, or AIBU?

[lalalalalaaaaa]

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 :(

You haven't done anything wrong. The dental practice has a cancellation policy and you are well within it. Ignore the sarky receptionist. Their problem of patients cancelling appointments isn't your problem.

Its is part of their job description - every dentist receptionist I have come across has a brusque nature about them. Although once I did make one smile when I tried speaking with a mouth full of anaesthetic.

I was waiting over an hour for an appointment once and when I told the receptionist I couldn't wait any longer she got the right arse and asked why I couldn't wait another 10 minutes!

Erm because I've been waiting over an hour already and not once have you had the courtesy to apologise. And no, it's not just another 10 minutes, the previous patient is still in the chair with his mouth open and then there's the length of my appointment. She did not look happy when I walked out.

I had 2 out in one go from the hosp and i was off 2 weeks.
the pain was horrendous, in week 2 i got an infection.
some extractions are harder than normal.

I was referred to the hospital to have my wisdom teeth out and I did need a week to recover. I had had other adult teeth out (overcrowding before having a brace) and went back to school with my mouth still numb but complicated wisdom tooth removal with impact teeth that requires general anaesthetic (rather than local) and hospital admission is a much bigger deal.

Exactly this.

It's not bad, I don't get the grief.. That appointment will be filled in no time. I rearrange mine all the time with plenty of notice.

I get asked when I'm at the dentist if I want to book my appointment in 6 months time. I usually do, but I don't know what I'll be doing in 6 months so I often have to reschedule.

Just a thought OP, but wouldn’t it be better to get the wisdom tooth extraction out of the way now whilst in a job you are leaving, than waiting til you are in a new job and trying to make a good impression?

ignore the grief you’re getting on here - the short notice for covid cannot be helped, and most dental practices say you can’t go if you have covid. The longer notice periods were more than the practice requests, so I can’t see why there is an issue with that. I would ask yourself if you’re cancelling for the right reasons though - it sounds like because you’re a little afraid and maybe you’re looking for excuses?

Good luck for getting the procedure done!