Contractual benefit not being honoured

[bags999]

I work at a private dentist (as admin) and as part of my contract it says I'm entitled to free dental care.

Had a check up a year ago and advised I needed a couple of fillings. Fast forward to now and they have not been carried out. Work make up excuses, say they're too busy, short staffed etc. Despite reminding them on practically a weekly basis. Now concerned for the health of my teeth.

Anyone know how this works if it's written in the contract?

Anyone know how this works if it's written in the contract?

If it's in the contract then yes, they have to do it.

Why haven't you just made an appointment with them to do it?

Sadly staff appointments don't work like that, they have to be pre-agreed with management. And every time I ask I get given another excuse.

I was just hoping for some clarity on how it works if it's written in the contract. How would people advise getting actioned. Relationships between staff and management aren't very good and I don't want things to turn too sour but at the same time it's the health of my teeth I'm concerned about.

Would it be possible to get the ok from management with a view to slotting your in if someone cancels or something? You don't want to be in pain.

I would tell them that, as this is a contractual benefit that they are failing to provide, either they provide an appointment and honour it, or they pay for another dentist to do the work. If they refuse, you can use another dentist and take your employer to small claims to recover the cost.

I would get it done elsewhere and sing the praises of the other dentist.

I would ask again, if another excuse made I would say ok in that case I’m going to need time off to attend to this matter with another dental practitioner.

Perhaps once they see that you are serious enough about this dental work getting done and wanting to take time off work to do they might be more proactive in sorting an appointment out for you as surely it would be easier for them to just do the work for you (as stated in your contract) then have you taking a morning/afternoon off to go get this done elsewhere.