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Is it just me or does this seem like a bit much....
- Dec 1, 2008 at 8:15 PM
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- Comments (10) Total Views (88) Everyone can see this journal post.
Okay...my kids have this dentist. Seth actually had not gone yet but had an appointment. I like her and the office is very kid friendly, but she charges too much and wants to do things that I just dont think are necessary for a 4 year old's teeth (like bonding, etc), but she was a great with Norah so we went and paid whatever our insurance doesn't cover.
Well, one time a few months ago I had to call and cancel an appointment because Norah got sick (throwing up). They were very nice about it...I said I would call in a couple days and reschedule. I forgot to call and reschedule in the next few days so we got a letter saying that we didnt reschedule and if they didnt hear from us within 30 days, they would assume we had found a new dentist. They also said during the next 30 days the dentist would be available for us only in an emergency...like we we're on probation for forgetting to reschedule an appointment! Crazy IMO, but I called and rescheduled and we went in...no big deal.
Well, Norah had an appointment to get a small filling in a back tooth (she is not in any pain or anything), and Seth for his first cleaning, the day before I was finding out the results of my cancer biopsy. I had made the appointment like over a month ago, plus you know how I was those days, waiting for those results. I was a mess...I was having panic attacks and everything so worried about having cancer. Well, as a result I forgot about the appointment.
Over the weekend I get a letter telling me I missed an appointment and (quoting the letter here) "We kindly ask that you now seek dental care in an office that can better accomodate your schedule." Adding that missing appointments unfairly puts extra expense on other patients and ending by saying that the dentist will see Norah for emergencies only for the 30 days, paid by cash only at the time of service (we have insurance and I have paid the amount the insurance doesnt cover at the appointment every single time)!
They kicked us out of the practice for missing 1 appointment! Am I the only one who thinks this is nuts?
I guess I can say I am better off for it because I probably don't want to be a part of this practice if this is how they are anyway, but geez...it was one appointment!
Comments:
I think they forget that they are getting paid very well when someone has insurance. I know that any dentist in Canada charges considerably more if you have coverage. I'd definitely look for a more understanding dentist. Sorry that you have to deal with that, as it is a hassle. My dental office always calls with a reminder two or three days prior to an appointment and I've even cancelled the morning of an appointment because I wasn't well enough and they didn't charge me.
Stay inspired!
Definitely time to fire the dentist. That is just plain rude. It would be different if you made a habit of this. But my goodness. They are dealing with children. Kids get sick constantly. Would they rather you bring your child in sick and pass it on to everyone?
WOW !!! That's extreme on their part. I am sorry you are dealing with such jerks ! I would find a new dentist, and tell them, with a letter, they suck ! Sorry, I couldn't find a nicer word !
Seems crazy to me. Our dentist charges $50 if you reschedual within less than 24 hours or miss. And if we miss more than 2 appts then we go one probation like yours but not released from the office. I would definately find another dentist!
I would seek out a new dentist, asap. Then I would send them a letter thanking them for the time they were your dentist, and thanking them for their compassion during the time that you were waiting to find out the cancer results, letting them know of course that that is why you missed that ONE appointment. I don't care how awesome they are with the kids....they work for you....not the other way around. Hopefully you find another dentist that is equally as good if not better with your kids.
Thanks ladies...I appreciate the support. If they would have sent me a bill for a fee for missing the appointment I would have understood, but this just seemed crazy.
IMO ~ they were way too extreme. I could understand if you were habitually an appointment breaker/skipper, but that is jsut nuts for one time and then to not even call you and see what happened.
I think you need a new dentist too. That was uncalled for. However I think I would let them know why you missed the appointment and if they thought less of you because of this, they are not the type of dentist practice you need. I don't want to sound cold, however that letter they sent you was a bit rude. I wonder if they realize how they sound. Also with the economy the way it is, you would think everyone would be grateful for any business they get.
B
Business must be so good for them, that they can afford for you to tell everyone you know about how RUDE they are!
Wow...I thought the economy s...
nevermind.
(Im glad youre not going back there; they dont deserve your hard earned money).
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I agree - that is crazy! I can understand if it were due to several missed appointments, but not just one. To me, that is un-necessary and wrong. I have missed several dentist appointment for a lot less that that, but they have not refused to see me. I have even forgotten about Devon having appointments, but they still see her. I don't know.
But I agree with you - you're better off finding another one if that's how they are.
Hugs!!!
- lvns2my1
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