Cancellations

Appointment Management and Cancellation Policy

It is the aim of the practice to provide quality dental care to our patients and to use clinical time effectively. To achieve this aim, we have an appointment management and cancellation policy.

Management of appointments

We invest in the latest technology, including modern telephone equipment and online appointment booking portal via our website to allow our patients to make or reschedule appointments easily. Our appointment system support timely access to care and treatment, allow patients to access services at a time that suits them and minimises the length of time patients have to wait. Appointments.

Reminders

E-mail and text reminder are sent to patients before any appointment and patients are requested to inform the practice of any changes to their contact details.

Cancellation or delay of an appointment by the practice

We will only cancel or delay a patient’s appointment in unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, we will take the following steps:

• The patient will be contacted as soon as the practice is aware of the need to cancel or delay the appointment. We will explain the reason for the cancellation or delay
• At the time of a contact, the patient will be offered a new appointment at the earliest time available
• If the patient is unable to commit to a new appointment during that contact, we will ask them to get in touch at a later time where we will offer them a priority appointment

Cancellation of an appointment or missed appointment by a patient

Patients are requested to give a least 48 hours’ notice to cancel a dental appointment. Cancellations should be made by telephone on 01225 317681 or via e-mail to info@widcombedental.co.uk. Late cancellations and missed appointment represent a cost to the practice, when other patients could have been seen in the time set aside for the patient.

Important Update to Our Booking and Cancellation Policy 01 May 2025

At Widcombe Dental, we are committed to providing every patient with the time and care they deserve. In recent months, we have seen a sharp increase in missed appointments and late cancellations, which has a significant impact on both our team and patients waiting for appointments.

To ensure fairness and reduce wasted clinical time, we are implementing a secure card-on-file booking system, effective from 01 may 2025.

• All appointments must be secured by leaving card details at the time of booking.

• This is not a pre-payment – your card will only be charged in the event of:

  • Non-attendance without notice (charged at the full appointment fee)

  • Cancellations or reschedules with less than 48 hours’ notice (charged at £35)

Alternatively, if you’d prefer not to leave your card details, you are welcome to pay the full appointment fee upfront at the time of booking.

We understand that emergencies and illness can happen and will always take genuine circumstances into consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

It is our aim to telephone or e-mail patients after a missed appointment to understand the reason for non-attendance.

Any appeals about missed or cancelled appointment decisions by a patient should be made in writing to Widcombe Dental, 4 Sussex Place, Bath, BA2 4LA or e-mailed to the Practice Manager, Sally Vivian to pm@widcombedental.co.uk.  Please note that our reception team are unable to waive missed appointment fees.