Missed dental appointment and charges (child)

ezzmo

Hi wondered if anyone could help. I had a fantastic dentist, who left at the end of last summer, we as a family were then handed over to a new dentist in the practice. She only works part time and can only do 2 afternoons a week. We had our check ups and appointment were made for my two boys aged 3 and 12 for 5 weeks later (nothing sooner available.) During the 5 week wait I managed to misplace the card and forgot all about the appointments as I had just started a full time college course.
Last week I recieved 2 seperate letters with charges of £60 and £20 for the missed appointments, It said the older child had recieved another appointment by post? which he hadnt attended.
As a student on a low income Im a bit gobsmacked by these charges as I certainly cannot remember seeing a notice about missed appointment charges.
The fee letter tells me if I dont pay within 7 days the debt will be handed to a debt collection agency!
Hope someone can help. Kathleen

Toothsmith

Are they NHS patients or private?

If NHS, then the new NHS contract specifically forbids charging for missed appointments.

Personally, I think that's a bit stupid, as up until that contract change, dentists had a far smaller problem than the rest of the NHS with missed appointments, as we did charge!

Having said that, there should be fair warning of the fact. Maybe there's a note on the bottom of your appoitment card? That's where I put it.

Even then, a first offence just tends to get a letter warning that in future, a charge will be made.

If your kids are NHS, the I would ring up the practice and point out that charges aren't allowed anymore. But I would be especially careful in future, as missing appointments persistantly IS a reason for which a dentist can refuse to treat you in the future.

ezzmo

Toothsmith, Thanks so much for that advice. May I ask, when did this new rule come into force? as the missed appointments were autumn last year. Many thanks Kathleen

aurorahelios

I don't think the new NHS contract applies in Scotland.

ezzmo

oh no!! dinnae be telling me that. I was so triumphant there too.
I know Dentists have to make a living and failed appointments are costly, But I do feel for kids receiving free NHS treatment it was a bit extreme.

tiamai_d

I would try the 'I never received the appointment for the older child, can you prove that it was posted and received?' if it turns out that they can charge for missed appointments.

I used this one once after it was claimed I had been sent out an appointment. I never received it. I pointed out that if I did take it further they would have to prove not only that it was posted, but that it was received by me.

They call me up to remind me to arrange appointments now!

And I would think about calling the British Dental Association to ask if they can charge and how much they can charge.

ezzmo

Thanks for your post. Yeah thats a good idea. My last dentist was so cool, its the first time using this new one and im thinking we will look for another.

Toothsmith

Sorry - Yes I didn't notice the Scotland bit.

In England the new contract came in in April 2006.

MJ1979

I know this is an old thread but I just stumbled across it looking for something else.

I had a dentist appointment today. I had made two appointments earlier in the year but had to reschedule (I told them about this and they were fine) then one booked for the end of this month which the dentist cancelled and moved to today. I turned up (having taken time off work) and my dentist told me that he was refusing to treat me because I'd rearranged to many appointments but he could see me as an emergency patient if I paid for the privilege (I'm NHS and free at the moment)!!!

Surely this can't be right?

Toothsmith

I suppose it depends on how late the appointments were rearranged.

The staff should always seem 'fine' about it, as they are unlikely to tell the patient off, over the phone, without being able to check with the boss first.

It doesn't seem right that you had the appointment and were told when you turned up. Was it an emergency appointment, or just a regular one?

Dentists can get rid of NHS patients if 'the professional relationship has broken down'. This could include persistant missed or late rearranged appointments.

I would contact your PCT if you feel hard done by.

geekgirl

One of the best things our dentist surgery has implemented is using email. When you make an appointment whether by phone, in person whatever they email you with the date, then they send a reminder a couple of days before the appointment. If you reschedule an appointment they email that as well. And it is an automated system so doesn't take too much of anyone's time. There is always a written trail of who should be attending when. It's great!