$100 cancellation fee for the dentist....

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

More of a rant than anything else.

I've been taking my children to the same pediatric dentist for 18 years (the eldest switched this year to our regular dentist). Due to a last minute appointment change for him with a specialist, I had to call to change the time of my children seeing their dentist. I received the call about an hour ago and the appointment for their dentist is tomorrow at 5pm.

To do this, they are charging me $50 per child; they require 72 hours notice with no exception. I told them I'll find another dentist.

Called my regular dentist; he sees all ages so I transferred them to his practice. The fee to cancel is $25 with 24 hours notice BUT for long standing patients, they'll wave the fee.

We started with the pediatric dentist when she first started her practice. We've dealt with her cancellations, her running late, her employees screwing up, etc but never complained. Last, this policy went into effect last month. BEFORE, the fee was $25 with 24 hours notice. I've had to change appointments due to my sons medical situation (something the dentist and office manager were aware of) and was never charged.

Either it got really bad or... well I don't know. I also found out she only sees patients one day a week. The rest of the week? 5 dentists I've never heard of. Oh well.

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

@SahmIam That's pretty bad. Well, it'll probably turn out for the best (minus $100).......you'll probably be happier with the other dentist anyway!

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on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

Did they notify of you of the change? I bet they didn't. I would not pay. I guess I would keep disputing it and include everything you said. That is awful!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

It sounds like this dentist really wants to cull her patient list down to almost nothing.

I don't think you've lost anything by switching.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

@SahmIam

Geez, that's steep.

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

@2blonde Oh, I'm not paying their fee. I left the practice, therefore my children are no longer her dental patients.

kivah · ‎03-11-2010

Glad ur not paying this SCAM fee. If she goes after u, take her to small claims court and post ur situation on Yelp. That will shut her up!!!!

itsmagic · ‎08-08-2011

I would be pretty upset if my dentist did that to me after so many years. I'm aware my dental practice has the same type of policy and I've often wondered whether my dentist would charge me if I woke up sick and couldn't come in for a scheduled appointment. I've been going to the same practice for 40 years and have never cancelled before so I would hope not.

redwingsgal · ‎03-10-2010

Also, make sure the office charges EVERY patient the same fee. They cannot discriminate and charge one patient more or less than another. Also, they cannot "waive" a fee for patients. Must be consistent!!

BTW, I would not pay either!!!

I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend, til death, your right to say it

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

@SahmIam

If their past policy was $25 with 24 hour notice and you did not receive written notice of the change in policy, I would not pay the $100. I would let them bill me. I would pay only the prior amount.

I would probably take the payment in person and tell them they should all pray they are never faced with an emergency situation for a child who suffers as your son does.