At Armagh Dental Clinic we make every effort to remind patients of their appointment; we do not automate bookings, clients will have made the appointment in the first instance.

In the situation where a patient fails to attend or has a short notice cancellation (usually less than one working day, although Dentists/managers may at their discretion waive the fee), it will be treated as a missed appointment.

Missed appointments are charged at a rate of £100 per hour of clinical time. Where a patient has repeatedly failed to attend appointments (two out of three appointments missed or more) registration with the practice will be terminated. A new patient failing a first appointment will not be rebooked and a fee will still be applied.

• Do not contact the patient, let them come to us.
• Registered patient: Upon contact (phone/email/telephone), check patient record for last attendance and any applied fee.
• Unregistered (new patient, not seen by a dentist): unless in exceptional circumstances (awarded at the discretion of the managers) a new patient who fails to attend will not be rebooked.

On the phone/at the desk:

• Ask if they know that there is a fee applied to their account, explain how much the fee is and explain the account must be cleared before a new appointment can be made.
• Fees are apportioned to the appointment time missed; rate of £100 per hour of clinical time.

15mins £25

30 mins £50

45 mins £75

60 mins £100

• Where a patient has repeatedly failed to attend appointments (two out of three appointments missed or more) registration with the practice will be terminated. For NHS patients, a notice of withdrawal from capitation/continuing care will be submitted to BSO.