How would you deal with this situation?

Doodledog

What does paying for private work have to do with it though?

I am not saying that the OP was lying, but whether or not what she said was true does not depend on how much money changed hands. To be honest - bringing that up just makes it sound like there is a huge sense of entitlement, which weakens the argument somewhat.

Message sent to you Doodledog. Got nothing to do with Self Entitlement!!

What does paying for private work have to do with it though?

I am not saying that the OP was lying, but whether or not what she said was true does not depend on how much money changed hands. To be honest - bringing that up just makes it sound like there is a huge sense of entitlement, which weakens the argument somewhat.

nanna8

Good call Donna - plenty of dentists around. They are offering a service and an expensive one at that. What happened to customers always being right ? Having said that it might have been that he was fully booked but in that case he should have explained or at least his dragonlady on the desk should have !

Thank you Nanna8...I am finishing my bracework on my teeth at a now Orthadontist. Any Cosmetic work the Orthadontist is good enough to refer me to who they believe do the best work. It is working out better and I believe it always does when you stand up and be counted to how you should be treated. You dont pay for Private work to be called out as a liar do you? Pity those on this site who came out with their scathing comments dont keep them comments to themselves. Its supposed to be a site whereby we support each other...not demoralise, make unnecessary judgements and be cruel in the making.

Good call Donna - plenty of dentists around. They are offering a service and an expensive one at that. What happened to customers always being right ? Having said that it might have been that he was fully booked but in that case he should have explained or at least his dragonlady on the desk should have !

Chewbacca

I would imagine that, on her next visit to the dentist, OP will make sure that she sets off in plenty of time to allow for contingencies. That's if her dentist has kept her as a patient after what happened on the last appointment.

I did set off in plenty of time Chewbacca...I wont be making another visit to that particular dentist! I have since had a refund of my total fee after I formally complained of the situation. It was investigated and funny that the co-owner understood where I was coming from and said it could have been handled better and no personal remarks should have been made about me in front of anyone else!! So there you go...YOU dont know everything and another one who makes judgements and assumptions that are not necessary!!

I’ve recently seen a new dentist who’s been fabulous in seeing me warts and all. It might be costing me a fortune but who cares if you’ve got it and I’m lucky I have got it he’s dealing with ongoing issues I’m really grateful he can make appointment times to suit. If I turn up early I just sit in the car until my time he usually then sees me immediately with a big smile on his face the receptionist and other staff are all so friendly I must say I was nervous to start with but my anxieties have greatly reduced due to the practice staff being so harmonious. That’s it no more visiting my previous dentist who couldn’t be bothered to call back in times of great need his bums out the window now loyalty and efficiency means a lot to me.

Summerlove

*After explaining myself to the Dentist...the Dentist made a remark in front of his Colleagues and other Patients that he did not think I was telling the truth!!! Very unprofessional of him to make such a comment to a patient in front of others !!!*

Was this before or after you argued your point to the receptionist and forced the dentist to see you?

Summerlove...no one can force anyone to do anything!! The receptionist 'should' have returned my call and didn't! That has now been established in the investigation..had she have done I would have turned back in my car and headed home! She had plenty of time to do what she should have done whilst I was in a Gridlock situation! The co-owner believed my situation as the same has happened to him and most of his staff. Had the receptionist returned my call the whole situation would not have happened...and I must point out...it is not the first time my call was not returned. I have supplied date & times of my calls and messages that have been listened too and not been acted upon...so again as I have said to wellbeck I received an apology for that too!!

Welbeck when people like yourself make too many assumptions and judgements...as you have to me present and past it frustrates me! You need to take your blinkers off and live in the real world. You have the attitude that if it does not happen in your world then it is wrong!! By the way...just to update you...I have had a letter of apology off one of the co-owners now that the situation has been investigated and video footage has been looked at and listened too!! So there you go... I thought this was a sight to support other women whether right or wrong the situation is a better approach is more welcome than the approach you give to people. Go look at yourself first before you have anything to say about anyone else!!

After explaining myself to the Dentist...the Dentist made a remark in front of his Colleagues and other Patients that he did not think I was telling the truth!!! Very unprofessional of him to make such a comment to a patient in front of others !!!

Was this before or after you argued your point to the receptionist and forced the dentist to see you?

OP was seen by the dentist that day, she said so in her second post on 30/8/20.

My dentist has been in touch again and given me another appointment must be on time though I would be happy to leave home early and sit in the car for a short period of time this is a two way relationship mindful of each other

OP your tone comes across as unnecessarily aggressive.
if this is your default mode, it will not benefit your interactions in RL.

I used to say to myself Never be late for your dentist appointment Nor your hairdressing appointment they have no sympathy for you their appointments are usually back to back

I don't want to get involved in the ins and outs of the drama, but I'm not sure what paying privately has to do with anything. IMO the principle (either way) is the same whether the dentist is working privately or on the NHS.

Marydoll

As I have previously said, the poor, maligned, probably harrassed receptionist isn't able to give her version of what happened, in order to get a balanced view.

At least you managed to get an appointment, Donna, my dentist is still only dealing with emergencies.

Maybe that is because I have paid Private for my treatment and in full upfront?

MawB2

Why on earth has this flared up again?
OP very unfortunately missed her appointment due to a combination of circumstances, but I understand was seen after all - unless I am mistaken, so where is the drama?
The phones were obviously in use which was why she was put through to the answering service - this happens all the time at our vets and I just have to keep hanging up and redialling again and again.
But being abusive to the staff never got anybody anywhere, did it?

A whole lot of assumptians made here MawB2. After explaining myself to the Dentist...the Dentist made a remark in front of his Colleagues and other Patients that he did not think I was telling the truth!!! Very unprofessional of him to make such a comment to a patient in front of others !!! And YOUR comment 'Why one earth has this flared up again' 1. You dont have to read it 2. You dont have to comment either!!

I must phone for my much delayed checkup tomorrow.

This thread reminded me, thank you so much.

I'm going tomorrow Marydoll . It's only 10 minutes away from where I live but I'm going to set off really early so I don't arrive late. because I just love going to the dentist (not)

As I have previously said, the poor, maligned, probably harrassed receptionist isn't able to give her version of what happened, in order to get a balanced view.

At least you managed to get an appointment, Donna, my dentist is still only dealing with emergencies.

Why on earth has this flared up again?
OP very unfortunately missed her appointment due to a combination of circumstances, but I understand was seen after all - unless I am mistaken, so where is the drama?
The phones were obviously in use which was why she was put through to the answering service - this happens all the time at our vets and I just have to keep hanging up and redialling again and again.
But being abusive to the staff never got anybody anywhere, did it?

craftyone

Donna1964, this was entirely your fault and your behaviour was appalling. Your dentist should have charged you for a missed appointment.

What are you going on about?? You do not know about my behaviour...so STOP making assumptions anf judging me!!

I would imagine that, on her next visit to the dentist, OP will make sure that she sets off in plenty of time to allow for contingencies. That's if her dentist has kept her as a patient after what happened on the last appointment.

Greciangirl

I think the dentist is at fault.

They should have answered the phone, the OP did try and explain her late arrival. Because of their failure to answer the phone, she had a wasted journey and a lot of stress.
I sympathise.

Thank you Greciangirl x

JuneRose

Donna I sympathise. Even if the receptionist was only doing her job sometimes they come across as so unbearably smug about it when you're hot and bothered and already totally stressed out. And to have to pay for the privilege. Don't blame you for arguing your case.

Thank you JuneRose xx

Oldwoman70 is spot on.