To ring up dentist and ask if they have any cancellations.

[Crazycakeladyrose]

I’m booked in to see my nhs dentist in a few weeks for a checkup but want to get it over and done with. Am I being unreasonable to ring up dentist and ask if they have any cancellations for an earlier checkup or is this rude? Will the nhs receptionists think I’m inconsiderate?

Should only people in pain do this ?

thank you 🙏

I work in a dental practice and would have no issue with someone doing this! Some practices have a cancellation list for exactly this purpose as we like to keep busy and people often cancel at the last minute.

IME calling them an hour after they first open is a good time to ask for cancellations that day- they often get calls first thing paving the way for others to fill in.

It's worth a try. My dentist often rings me when someone else cancels to see if I want an earlier slot. It's probably best to try in the mornings for a cancellation on the same day.
Though if you've not got bad pain or an emergency they may offer cancelled slots to them first.