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Deposit Policy

Appointment Management

Reasonable Adjustments

Complaints

Deposit Policy

At TyroneHouse Dental Practice we understand that life can be unpredictable, and schedules can change unexpectedly. However, we also understand the importance of our patients’ time and the impact that missed appointments can have on our practice and other patients who may need to be seen urgently.

To ensure that we can provide the best possible care to all our patients, we have decided to implement a deposit policy for all private appointments.

This policy requires 1) full payment for new patient examinations or 2) 50% deposit for all other appointment to be made at the time of booking, which will be applied towards the total cost of the appointment. Deposits are non-refundable in the event of an appointment being missed without prior notice or if the appointment is cancelled within 24 hours (adjustment to this policy will apply in certain circumstances)

We take deposits for the following reasons:

• Secure Appointments: Deposits are taken to secure the appointment slot for our patients. This means that we can guarantee the time and resources needed to provide high – quality care to our patients.

• Reduce No – Shows: Deposits help reduce the number of missed appointments, which is not only frustrating for our team but also denies other patients the opportunity to be seen. By taking a deposit, we can encourage our patients to commit to their appointments and reduce the likelihood of no – shows.

• Cover Costs: Deposits help us to cover part of the costs associated with missed appointments. These costs include staff time, equipment and resources that may have been allocated to the appointment.

• Fairness: Deposits ensure that all patients are treated fairly and equitably. If a patient fails to show up for their appointment without providing adequate notice, it may prevent other patients from being seen in a timely manner.

We understand that there may be extenuating circumstances that may prevent a patient from being able to make their appointment. If this is the case, we ask that our patients provide us with as much notice as possible so that we can make arrangements to reschedule the appointment.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us to provide the best possible care to all our patients. If you have any questions or concerns about our deposit policy, please contact the management team.

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Appointment Management,
Cancellation and Failure-to-Attend Policy

To ensure success and smooth running of any dental practice patients must endeavour to attend their appointment as booked, and on time. This prevents disruption to other patients and ensures that the level of care for patients is maintained. It is the aim of this practice to provide quality dental care to our patients and to use clinical time effectively. To achieve this aim, we have an appointment management policy.

Management of appointments

We have invested in systems to allow our patients to make or reschedule appointments easily. Our appointment system supports timely access to care and treatment, allows patients to access services at a time that suits them and minimises the length of time people have to wait. Appointments can be made or rescheduled by calling our reception team on 01952 250045 or communication via email.

Appointment Reminders

Email and Text reminders are sent to patients at varying intervals prior to any appointment hance patients are requested to inform the practice of any changes to their contact details. Patients are able to decline reminders by asking a member of staff to update their records to reflect their preferences.

Reminders are a courtesy to patients and are not a pre-requisite of keeping appointments. Should reminders not be received, patients are still expected to arrive promptly to their scheduled appointment.

Cancellations

Our policy is that any patient cancelling an appointment more than 24hours before the appointment time can do so without penalty. Where a patient cancels within 24hours of the appointment time the incidence is recorded on the patient record. If a patient continues to cancel at short notice on more than one occasion or on multiple occasions the management will contact the patient.

Thereafter, if the behaviour continues, the patient may forfeit their right to be seen at the practice.

While discretion may be applied, the default is 3 or more short-notice cancellations or failures-to-attend (see below) will forfeit the patient’s right to be seen at the practice.  

Patients will be subject to a charge of £25 per 20mins

For Advanced Treatments, eg Sedation, Implants

For Advanced treatments we require five working days’ notice. This allows us to schedule in other patients who may be in urgent need of our care. Failure to provide us with five working days advance notice or failure to present for advanced treatment appointments will result in a cancellation fee depending on the nature and length of the appointment. The default is a minimum charge of £100 payable by the patient.

Failure-to-Attend

If a patient Fails-to-Attend, the incidence is recorded on the patient record and the patient will be notified. A second incidence (including short-notice cancellation) will attract another communication. If a third incidence (including a short-notice cancellation) occurs the patient will forfeit their right to be seen at the practice and informed of this in writing. Discretion may be employed as with short-notice cancellations above.

Patients will be subject to a minimum charge of £25 per 20mins.

For Advanced treatments, a no-show fee will be charged depending on the nature and time slot of the appointment. The default is a minimum charge of £100 payable by the patient. If there is due cause for a patient cancelling at short-notice or failing-to-attend an appointment, this will be given consideration and the above may not apply.

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