SmartDental Care - DNA Policy

 

Patient Appointment Policy

We are committed to providing high-quality dental care for all our patients. Unfortunately, up to 33% of our clinical time is lost each week due to patients failing to attend appointments or cancelling at short notice. This has significant impacts, including:

  1. Longer wait times for other patients.
  2. Increased costs to the practice.
  3. Reduced access for patients in urgent need of care.

Remember: A missed appointment denies another patient the chance to receive care.

Did Not Attend (DNA) Policy

To minimise the impact of missed appointments, we have introduced the following policy:

  • Notice for Cancellations:
    • You must give at least 48 hours’ notice to change or cancel your appointment. This allows us to offer the slot to another patient and avoid wasting clinical time.
  • Fees for Missed Appointments:
    • If you fail to attend or cancel without 48 hours’ notice, you will be charged a fee. The amount will depend on the length of your appointment. Any deposits paid for the appointment will be used as a late fee if you fail to attend or cancel without proper notice.
  • Repeated Non-Attendance:
    • Patients who repeatedly fail to attend appointments or provide appropriate notice may face deregistration from our practice.

Electronic Reminders

We offer up to two electronic reminders via text message or email to help you keep track of your appointments. To ensure you receive these reminders, please provide us with your most up-to-date contact details, including your mobile number and email address.

Important Reminder

As many practices in our area are no longer accepting new patients, missing appointments and risking deregistration could make it challenging to access alternative care.

Helpful Tips

  • Always book your next appointment:Before leaving the practice, make sure you schedule your next visit to avoid long wait times.
  • Need to reschedule?Contact us promptly to rearrange your appointment by:
    • Calling your dental practice. (Leave voicemail if the practice is busy)
    • Emailing your practice.

Thank you for helping us provide timely and efficient care to all our patients. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

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