At our practice, we understand that life can be unpredictable and sometimes appointments need to be changed. We kindly ask for as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend, helping us offer appointment times to other patients who may be waiting for care.
Active Patients
An active patient is someone who attends the practice within their recommended recall intervals and maintains an ongoing course of care.
We kindly ask that you:
- Provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
- Understand that a first missed or late-cancelled appointment will not usually incur a charge, as a gesture of goodwill.
- Be aware that repeated missed appointments or short-notice cancellations may result in a fee reflecting the clinical time reserved for you.
- Note that patients who repeatedly fail to attend may be asked to pay a deposit for future appointments or may have restrictions on booking certain appointment types online.
Patients Outside Active Care
A patient may be considered outside active care if they:
- Have not attended for routine dental care within their recommended recall period (typically 12–18 months).
- Have a history of missed appointments or cancellations made at short notice.
For patients outside active care:
- We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
- Missed appointments or cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur a charge.
- A deposit may be required when booking future appointments.
- Failure to attend without notice may affect the ability to book future appointments online or with certain clinicians.
Our Commitment to Fairness
Every appointment time is reserved specifically for you. When appointments are missed without sufficient notice, we are unable to offer that time to other patients who may need care. Our cancellation policy is designed to make the best use of clinical time while remaining fair, understanding, and respectful of our patients’ needs.
Effective Date: June 2026
Review Date: June 2027
Approved By: Hurst Dental Practice Management
