Attendance and cancellation policy

Appointment Policy – Ensuring Fair and Efficient Care

At our practice, we are committed to providing high-quality dental care to all patients. To ensure smooth scheduling and fair access to appointments, we have established the following policy regarding appointments, cancellations, and missed appointments.

Why This Policy Matters

Missed or late cancellations of appointments disrupt our ability to provide timely care to other patients. By implementing this policy, we aim to ensure that all patients have access to the care they need while minimising lost appointment time.

Booking and Attendance

Patients are expected to arrive on time for their scheduled appointments.
If you are unable to attend, we require at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel your appointment.
Text reminders and emails are sent as a courtesy service to help you manage your appointments.

Cancellations and Missed Appointments

Private Patients: Private patients may be required to pay a deposit when booking. If they miss or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, the deposit will be lost. If no deposit has been taken, a missed or late cancellation may result in a broken appointment fee.
Private Treatment Appointments: If a patient fails to attend a scheduled private treatment appointment, the deposit paid for that session will be lost, or a broken appointment fee will be charged.

Whenever we need to change or cancel an appointment, we will provide as much notice as possible.

Patients are responsible for attending regular check-ups, updating their contact details, and following any advice on prevention and diet. If a patient misses an NHS appointment and does not attend again within 24 months, we may not be able to see them again as an NHS patient. Repeated short-notice cancellations may also lead to restrictions on future bookings.

This policy ensures that appointments remain available for those who need them, allowing us to provide the best possible care. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

What people say

Based in the heart of Whitehaven, Cumbria, S.J.Smith & Associates are a friendly welcoming practice offering high quality dentistry to adults and children. We are a mixed dental practice providing NHS dentistry and full range of private cosmetic treatments including teeth whitening, invisalign and hygiene services. We aim to educate and support our patients to make informed decisions about their own dental health.

What our plans cover

      Good rating  
 Based on 40 reviews 
    
  
 
 
       The best dentist! Always so kind and comforting if you're a little anxious! Very thorough so you get the treatments you need.
      Hannah Shepherd 
 
 
 
 
 
     What a wonderful Dentist, so friendly and efficient. Working very long hours and travelling to and from London. My kids and I have just been for our first appointment, fixed a couple of problems in no time, the dental nurse was also fantastic and reassuring. The dentist even took the time to show me how I can help my child look after his teeth whilst he was in the chair. Very happy patients. Thank you
      Helen Mason 
 
 
 
 
 
     Used this dentist for the first time as a new patient. The dentist I saw was from London, he comes up for 3 days every week. He was just fabulous and sorted a few problems within no time. His assistant was also very good, and extremely friendly, making sure that I was fine throughout the procedure. I did have to wait for a while to be seen as they were very busy, but they apologised, and I understand that after the pandemic they are playing catch up. Not their fault! I would highly recommend this practice.
      Lynn Smith 
 
 
 
 
 
     Receptionists are lovely, so polite and helpful. Thank you ladies.
      Janet Tyson 
 
 
 
 
 
     Filling then another visit for extraction, finally had addition to my plate. On each visit all members of staff from reception to Dental nurse and Dentist were all very helpful. Would recommend to anyone. Thank you all.
      Ken Shaw 
 
 
 
 
 
     Went today and sorted me out for over the Christmas period so I was paint free
      Andrea Corlette

Book your Appointment

Call now on 01946 692938

Or complete the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange your consultation.

The best dentist! Always so kind and comforting if you're a little anxious! Very thorough so you get the treatments you need.

Hannah Shepherd

What a wonderful Dentist, so friendly and efficient. Working very long hours and travelling to and from London. My kids and I have just been for our first appointment, fixed a couple of problems in no time, the dental nurse was also fantastic and reassuring. The dentist even took the time to show me how I can help my child look after his teeth whilst he was in the chair. Very happy patients. Thank you

Helen Mason

Used this dentist for the first time as a new patient. The dentist I saw was from London, he comes up for 3 days every week. He was just fabulous and sorted a few problems within no time. His assistant was also very good, and extremely friendly, making sure that I was fine throughout the procedure. I did have to wait for a while to be seen as they were very busy, but they apologised, and I understand that after the pandemic they are playing catch up. Not their fault! I would highly recommend this practice.

Lynn Smith

Receptionists are lovely, so polite and helpful. Thank you ladies.

Janet Tyson

Filling then another visit for extraction, finally had addition to my plate. On each visit all members of staff from reception to Dental nurse and Dentist were all very helpful. Would recommend to anyone. Thank you all.

Ken Shaw

Went today and sorted me out for over the Christmas period so I was paint free

Andrea Corlette

What people say

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