Dental offices occasionally discuss the controversial topic of enforcing no-show fees on patients who miss appointments. Although many practitioners favor the fees, others feel the charge is unfair to the patient if they miss an appointment. So, our dental practice consultants at Bryant Consultants share on the blog information about dental practices enforcing no-show fees and some questions you should consider before making a final decision.
How much time or revenue does your office lose when patients are no-shows?
Most dental practitioners have their work day scheduled out to the minute, including time for lunch and breaks. However, it can be frustrating when a patient doesn’t show up for an appointment, and you lose 15 to 60 minutes of revenue-producing time. Therefore, frequent no-shows can dramatically impact your practice’s revenue. If your dental practice suffers from several no-shows regularly, you may want to initiate a no-show fee to secure revenue from the missed appointment.
Who is responsible for no-show appointments?
There can be several reasons why a patient fails to show up for their appointment. A patient who is a no-show for the first time could have had an emergency or a situation that was out of their control prohibiting them from getting to their appointment. Therefore, our dental office coaches recommend including a grace period in the no-show policy for emergencies. On the other hand, noting patients who frequently make appointments but don’t show up can help identify repeat offenders. If the issue continues to be a problem, it may be best to implement a no-show fee after informing the patient about the change.
Should your dental practice “fire” patients?
In the past, it was rare to “fire” patients from the practice. However, dental practitioners are increasingly “firing” patients for many reasons, including consistent no-shows. Dentists who choose to “fire” a patient is stating that they will no longer provide oral care for that patient. Some dental offices allow patients to miss up to three appointments, which does not include moving an appointment or calling in advance to cancel. Our dental practice coaches explain that creating a no-show policy that allows some grace for emergencies or other “life happens” situations can offer patients flexibility but still enforces that patients are expected to show up for their appointment. In some cases, you may not want to “fire” a patient because of their loyalty, but they need to understand that it’s possible. Therefore, you should speak with repeat offenders about implementing a no-show charge so that they take you seriously.
Dental Office Consultants
Although most patients regularly show up for their appointment, other patients fail to do so. Implementing no-show fees for repeat offenders can recapture lost revenue and send a stern message about the importance of attending their appointment without losing them as a patient. If you have questions about creating a no-show policy or want to speak with a dental practice consultant, feel free to contact Bryant Consultants at (877) 768-4799 or call us online to schedule an appointment.
