I didn't think so. So why do some people make an appointment with me and then call the day of their appointment and say that they "just made" another appointment with someone else - the hair dresser is the most common - and they have to change their previously scheduled dental appointment because it is a conflict with the appointment that they made ten minutes ago.
Get a time machine, people!
2007-08-03 13:02:23 · 11 answers · asked by Picture Taker 7 in Health ➔ Dental
Hi to all of my friends here. I admit to laying low over here. Frankly, two things happened. MOSTLY - you all are doing a great job. Second - after working in the office all day, I don't feel like "working" by answering questions here for an hour or two...
2007-08-03 14:22:14 · update #1
DR. SAM, WELCOME BACK! NOT THAT YOU'VE BEEN ELSEWHERE, BUT I'VE MISSED READING YOUR POSTS.
IN MY OFFICE I GIVE THEM A FREE PASS THE FIRST TIME, BUT IF THEY DO IT KNOWINGLY A SECOND TIME I CHARGE THEM.
EVENTUALLY, THEY LEARN THAT MY TIME COSTS $ AND THEY ARE TRAINED TO RESPECT MY TIME AS THEY RESPECT THEIR OWN.
2007-08-03 13:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi Dr Sam. After all these years you are surprised? I've have patients call at night after 10pm to leave a message on my answering machine to cancel so they do not have to deal with the staff. Of course we ask they cancel at least 24 hours in advance, yeah right. My best was the patient that called to say she had such sinuses infections and migrane and was up all night in severe pain. When I walked over to Kings to the get lunch at the salad bar she was at the deli giving an order for a weekend birthday party! So much for that excuse. She was so embaressed she offered to pay for missed appt. So I think when people miss once with a lame excuse, I have my offcie manager double book the next one. Unless patients are in pain or have great Ins. expect this. It's too bad because they set a policy for their kids and this will come back to haunt them in the future. I tell all my staff and some patients, the problem with todays patients is they have no sense of responsiblity. No consequenses for bad behavior. It's simply sorry doc, I forgot I had another appointment. I teach my patients to respect my time as that time is for them alone. No phone calls, no running to another room to do a hygiene check. And they respond typically with the same respect. If I ever leave them for an emergency I thank them profusely and they appreciate that as well. Marie.
2007-08-03 13:27:56 · answer #2 · answered by Marie D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sam: first of all, nice to see you back in dental. The photo group can spare you for a bit?
People who wouldn't think of breaking a hair salon appointment will stand up the dentist. They know that if they don't get to the airport on time, the plane leaves without them, but they don't seem to mind running 15 to 20 mins late for a dental appointment.
Like your office, ours runs on time. They barely have time to enjoy the amenities in our reception room. If, by chance, an emergency has delayed us, we express our regret both verbally and with a Starbucks or other gift card. We rarely give them out, however.
I'm trying to figure out how to make time scheduled with us as important as that "other" appointment people just won't break.
Seems as if when they are in pain, they want us to rearrange our day to accommodate them. But if we expect them to keep a long-scheduled appointment, they act surprised.
2007-08-03 13:39:26 · answer #3 · answered by emmalue 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I'm always in at least 2 places at once...catering to "special needs" patients and to "very special needs" doctors at the same time!!
Aside from that, isn't it ironic that emergencies never occur on Monday mornings? Always at 5:00 on Friday, especially after a horrendous day...they always seem to know when WE have appointments with the hair dresser!
Just recently we had a patient call for "an emergency 2nd opinion"!!
2007-08-03 19:54:09 · answer #4 · answered by Christy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Dr. Sam. I love reading the things that you post. We had alot of patients like this at the office that I worked at and it is really disrespectful. I hated setting my room up for this patient to just take it all back down again because they decided that they had something better to do than get there teeth fixed. You know what I really hate is the people that complain about how bad there teeth are and they are so tired of having root canals or crowns done but they don't bother to take care of there teeth in the first place. Those people are the ones that will call you at 2am because there tooth is hurting so bad and they need you to call them in some pain meds. People need to suck it up and take care of there teeth. I hope that next week is better for you. Take care!
2007-08-03 16:34:40 · answer #5 · answered by Kelli in FL 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to quantum physics, yes we can be in two places at the same time. The theory of Parallel Universes tells us that we exist in other realms simultanously to this earth dimension. This explains some people's attempts to be in two places at the same time. The wisdom of their subconscious mind directs them to committ to 2 appointments never quite understanding what motivated such logic.
2007-08-04 10:04:11 · answer #6 · answered by Biancamaria S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow. you cant be in 2 places at once.even if dental appointments arent some peoples most favorite thing. they are super important.more important than a hair appointment.
2007-08-03 13:23:58 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ Sarbear ♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Going to the Denist is is not the most exciting thing in the world, sorry?? Maybe they said they were going to the the salon but really won tickets to a pirates or steelers game.
2007-08-03 13:12:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can be in 4 places at the same time!!!! Go to the 4 corners!
2007-08-03 13:21:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Missing your responses here, Dr. Sam. Try to pop in and see us on the weekends when you can!
2007-08-03 14:55:24 · answer #10 · answered by justine 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋