Dentist urges patients to give notice when they cannot attend appointments

A dentist has posted an appeal to patients on the social network Threads: if you cannot make your appointment after all, tell the medical facility. A booking means a specific time slot is reserved for one patient, so failing to show up without warning affects both the doctor and other people. The post, published in November 2026, has prompted a wider discussion.

In her post, the dentist writes that she would be very grateful for being notified. She notes that a doctor plans their working time, and that a patient who does not report a no-show denies another person, who would gladly have come, the chance to see the specialist.

Prepayment as a possible solution

In the comments, people shared thoughts on mutual respect between patients and doctors, as well as on how medical facilities organise their work. One commenter believes prepayment for a visit could be the answer. The dentist acknowledged that such a requirement might cause even greater dissatisfaction among patients.

Another commenter pointed to the opposite problem: patients often have to wait because doctors do not always see them at the agreed time. He argued that appointments should start on time and that patients should be called by name or number, so that a disorderly queue does not form outside the office door. In his view, medical staff share responsibility for this as well.

The dentist agreed that it is unacceptable if a doctor is late on a regular basis.

Mutual respect

The comments also included a reminder that mutual respect matters in the doctor–patient relationship. If a patient knows they will not make it, the medical facility should be told as early as possible. That would allow the freed-up slot to be offered to someone else who is waiting for specialist care.