NHS Dentist repeatedly cancels my appointments last minute

Rebtastic

Hi,

So I've been trying to get a veneer put in by my NHS dentist for a few months now (I booked my first appt for Oct 2015 which was cancelled last minute due to the dentist being sick and gave up until December 2016), and since then I've been telephoned the morning of my appointment three times to tell me they can't take me due to various reasons which they had control of.

Now I've had to take off 3 half days from work in order to attend these appointments which is time taken from my holiday sickness allowance, which I don't really want to waste on trivial matters such as cancelled dental appointments. It's cost me a fair bit of money having to keep going in and paying for treatments too, not to mention the final cost of getting my veneer fitted (if that day ever comes).

I'm wondering if there's any way I can claim from them my money back or reduced fee for the final bill, or if there's anything else I can do as it's really put me out (not to mention caused me some emotional damage from having to keep psyching myself up for the appts themselves and then being cancelled on last minute!!).

Thanks in advance

Nicki

The UK doesn't have a sickness allowance. I think the US does and maybe some other countries do too. You'd be better off posting on a site which is aimed at the country you live in.

If you do live in the U.K., you should be using annual holiday leave for these appointments and it may be a good idea to phone and confirm then the evening before. Can you go back in to work if the appointment is cancelled so you don't use up your leave this way!

sheramber

An employer may have a sickness allowance for uncertified illness.

My employer had a limit of 12 days per year.

d0nkeyk0ng

Complain. In writing.

Toothsmith

Things do happen. Dentists and or dental staff do get sick too, equipment breaks down and all sorts of things.

3 does seem a bit unlucky - but if it was only in Dec that you started attending again - they do seem quite good at getting you back in.

NHS dentists aren't allowed to charge if patients miss appointments - so it's only fair that this goes both ways! I agree it would be frustrating though.

If the treatment is a veneer, then I'm assuming that the final charge is going to be about £220 (or whatever the band 3 charge is now)

You say

It's cost me a fair bit of money having to keep going in and paying for treatments too, not to mention the final cost of getting my veneer fitted

Does that mean the 3 cancelled ones have only been 3 out of a greater number of appointments (Which isn't quite so bad) or 3 out of 3 - Which isn't so good?

But as said above - a written complaint should get a response, and should at least try and make them more aware of how you've been messed about.