Charges for being 2 minutes late at dentist when dentist was 20 minutes behind.

ryouga

Got a new dentist only 11 days ago, the only form I signed was one saying my details, never signed any to agree to any terms and conditions, just was given a leaflet saying if any appointments were cancelled there would be a charge, and everyone(including on benefits) must pay a £25 deposit on all treatment even on NHS.

Anyway I had my second appointment today(but 4th time I have been in) and each time the dentists are behind schedule, I arrived just around 2 minutes late(maybe slightly less, or under a minute more) and they refused to see me even though they admitted they are 20 minutes behind schedule! and said as a one off they wouldnt charge me the fine(what fine!? it was never mentioned before)

Now the reason I ask is two fold, one in none of their literature was it stated they charge for being late(only for cancelled appointments under 24 hours notice) and second my parents had a similar problem with a different practice last year as they were charged £1 per minute yet their dentist was 30-45 minutes behind schedule so they sent a letter charging them for the late times and won.

So in my case whats the best course of action? next time I go in for my reappointment the dentist is bound to bring it up so I want to go in prepared and if he gets snotty mention something about how I will charge him for seeing me 28 minutes after my appointment time the first appointment I had.

Mark_Hewitt

I guess it would come under the unfair contract terms. They are entitled to get back from you any loss they may have suffered due to you not turning up for your appointment, or not turning up on time. Since they were already running late that loss was zero, and hence that's the amount you're libable for.

Toothsmith

I take it you're not in England or Wales, as charging for missed NHS appointments isn't allowed anymore in these to countries.

Don't think the dentist 'is bound to bring it up'. He might not even know what has happened at the desk.

ryouga

Toothsmith wrote: »

I take it you're not in England or Wales, as charging for missed NHS appointments isn't allowed anymore in these to countries.

Don't think the dentist 'is bound to bring it up'. He might not even know what has happened at the desk.

Scotland, yes. Well the girl at desk said she would double check with dentist if he would see me and then said he wouldnt so he knew I was late.

I think what he did was since he was about 20 minutes behind schedule he was using my slot to make up time.

Either that or I may of been later than I thought but it all depends on how the desk staff work as when they give you a time, they always write 10 minutes earlier than stated so if appointment is 12.30 they write 12.20 on card so if I turned up at 12.32 I would be 2 minutes late, however if the girl put on 12.20 appointment time and I turned up at 12.32 then I would be 12 minutes late.

Then again they were still like 20 minutes behind schedule anyway so I wouldnt of been called yet.

derrick

NHS dentists are not allowed to charge for missed appointments, so I cannot see how they can charge for being late, especially as you rarely get seen on time anyway;-

"Your dentist should not:

• charge you for missed NHS appointments, but if you miss NHS appointments, your dentist can decide not to offer you treatment in the future"

.Posted as OP did,(in Scotland!).

CoolHotCold

derrick wrote: »

NHS dentists are not allowed to charge for missed appointments, so I cannot see how they can charge for being late, especially as you rarely get seen on time anyway;-

"Your dentist should not:

• charge you for missed NHS appointments, but if you miss NHS appointments, your dentist can decide not to offer you treatment in the future"

.Posted as OP did,(in Scotland!).

I think i'd rather pay if I was late, do you know how hard it is to get on a NHS dentists registar?

fluffnutter

I don't think there's much you can do. Just bear in mind for future visits that they're sticklers for time-keeping, as unfair as that seems.

It's also unclear as to whether you're actually an NHS patient or not. Your dentist might well do both (many do).

Hintza

I have been finding the dentist (Scotland) around here are becoming quite strict and a bit naughty. Card charges for paying by debit card etc. I now check my bill thoroughly as they also have a habit of charging for cleaning then never do it.

The latest was charging for two Xrays when only one was needed but he cocked up the first and missed the correct area.

Just keep an eye on them but if you create stir you might need a back up plan if thy throw you out....:D

derrick

CoolHotCold wrote: »

I think i'd rather pay if I was late, do you know how hard it is to get on a NHS dentists registar?

Quite easy round here;)

.

pinkshoes

CoolHotCold wrote: »

I think i'd rather pay if I was late, do you know how hard it is to get on a NHS dentists registar?

Quite easy in Oxfordshire too - you can take your pick!

kazzah60

well I would quite simply send them an invoice for a set amount for them "running late" into my appointment time -why is their time more valuable then mine?

my dentist is ALWAYS on time - she has NEVER kept me waiting - but if I was threatened with a "fine" for being late, - i would pay it, but the next time they kept me waiting, they would receive an invoice from me, for the "extra" time I had to take out of my very busy schedule for their tardiness and inability to keep to appointment times

I accept that on occasion, dental work can involve an emergency - but constant lateness is simply poor planning by the staff.