To manage our appointments system effectively and provide high quality services, it is important that patients attend their appointments as planned.

We send reminder emails two working days before appointments. These emails are sent as a courtesy and may not always be received. Therefore, failure to attend, by not receiving an email, will not be considered a valid exception of our policy.

If you are unable to keep your dental appointment, then please call the practice giving us as much notice as possible at least 24 hours before hand. You can also email cheamdental@hotmail.co.uk to let us know. We can then offer this appointment to another patient.

Although missed NHS appointments cannot be charged for, we have a very firm policy regarding non-attendance.

While surgeries cannot charge you for not turning up, NHS England has the right to ask you to find another dental surgery if you continue to miss appointments ( What happens when you visit an NHS dentist) What happens when you visit an NHS dentist – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

All failures to attend will be documented in the patient records.

On the first occasion a patient fails to attend, this will result in a written or verbal communication being given. They will also be advised by reception staff in accordance with PCT policy and General Dental Services Regulations 2005, Schedule 3 Part 1 (5) they risk refusal of completion of the NHS course of treatment if they miss their next appointment.

If a patient misses two or more appointments or cancels giving less than 24 hours’ notice , “the practice may feel this constitutes and irrevocable breakdown in relations”. Under the NHS (General Dental Services) Regulations 2005, Schedule 3 Part 1 (5) and the patient may therefore be refused further NHS treatment at the practice.