She seemed offended by me calling to schedule my own appointment.

@cream97 (29087)
United States
April 20, 2009 5:08am CST
I had an dentist appointment coming up. And I had minutes on my cellphone at that time. I was waiting for the receptionist to call me so that I could come in to get my 6 month general cleaning checkup. But, she never called me. This was in March. So, I gave her two more weeks at the end of the month to call me. She still never did. So, by the first week of April, my minutes ran out on my cellphone. So, I decided to call the dentist office to make an appointment to get my teeth cleaned. And, I called and told her that I was calling because I needed to schedule me a dentist appointment, and that I was not sure if they called me or not, because I was unable to receive calls on my cellphone. She was like, oh, so you are calling to get get your teeth cleaned. She said it in a sarcastic tone. Like as if to say, oh, I can see that you are on top of things, you make sure that you call us. I was puzzled at the way that she said that to me. I was thinking to myself, if you did not call me, why wait for you to call me when I know that I will not be able to talk on my cellphone due to a shortage of my minutes being gone? My cellphone number is the only number that she has. So, if she was to call me she would never get an answer. So, I chosed to call them myself, instead. It was time for my teeth to be cleaned, and I wanted to make sure that I came to my appointment. Is something wrong with me calling to schedule my own appointment? She never gives me an appointment card when I am finished from one appointment. She will just tell me, that we will call you when it is time for you to come in for another appointment. My son's dentist gives out six month next scheduled appointments, I wonder why they can't do the same? I went to the dentist last week, and she did not tell me anything, not when I would be next seen by them or anything. I just told her bye and I left. I did not get an appointment card at all. What is up with her? She has been acting funny with me ever since I came to this dentist office. I hope that her attitude is nothing personal. I have always, been nothing, but respectable and nice to her.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I would be getting a new dentist! Our dentist gives a new appointment when we leave for the first appointment. 6 months out is nothing for them. When I worked for the dentist at our local children's hospital, we always gave clinic appointments 6 months and even a year out because they filled up so fast. If we waited until it was time for them to come again they wouldn't get one for awhile. This lady sounds like she needs a new job where she isn't working with real people.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Apr 09
She sounds like she's lazy and is only doing the minimum amount of work possible. perhaps she thinks if she doesn't make the appointment that people will not follow up and she won't have to do the work,. That would frustrate me to no end. I definately would let the dentist know that you were not getting your appointments set. You are right, something does need to be done.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
20 Apr 09
Hi, carpenter5! What I should do, is complain to the dentist of this office and tell her what is going on. The last time that she made a mistake, the dentist asked her to give me an appointment for the next six months. She then came back and told me that they don't give out appointments until it is time for me to come back in six months. Which I think is odd. I don't think that she is doing her job right. I would hate to punish the dentist because of her mistakes. She needs to be dealt with instead.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
Hi there friend! If I'm the secretary I wouldn't mind at all if clients will ring me to have their appointments checked or confirmed. And at all times I should be smiling and happy in nature in dealing with the clients even if they are starting to irritate me. Maybe the secretary doesn't like to called cause she feels she has missed or have overlooked her clients. Maybe she feels offended cause if clients makes schedules for themselves, that would mean she hasn't done her job very well. Maybe that's how she interprets it. My dentists always ask me if I am available on the day she scheduled. Sometimes I choose my own schedule cause I know very well when I will have free time for check-ups. We try to compromise what would be an easy schedule for both of us. I think that is how scheduling should be. I suggest just ignore the secretary's attitude cause frankly it's childish and unprofessional. If the secretary continues to treat you bad, talk to her to know if you have offended her. Saying sorry too would be nice. She might just be too sensitive.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
20 Apr 09
Hi, iskayz! I agree with you! She is too sensitive. Being this way can and will cause her, her job if she keeps it up! This is the second time that she has made a mistake with me. And she gets offended everytime, which is not good. She should just learn to do her job more better. If she does then I won't have to correct her as much.
• United States
20 Apr 09
OUr dentist recptionist always seems annoyed when I reschedule any of our appointments. Sometimes you can't help for the weather (snow) or whatever ails you. HOnestly does she think the dentist would appreciate a kid who's been puking in her chair? Doubtful.
@Wizzywig (7847)
20 Apr 09
We always have to ring our dentist to get an appointment - unless its for follow-up treatment after a 6-month check. then they arrange it with us before we leave. Otherwise, they give us a card which says our appointment is due in 6 months and to call to book it in about 4months time. If we miss 2 appointments, we are taken off their list. Some receptionists seem to think they are better than the client in some way and they have poor interpersonal skills. If they can't treat people with some respect, they shouldn't do the job.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
20 Apr 09
Hi, Wizzywig! I used to go to a dentist that had rules like this. If you was late, then they will be taken off their list as a patient. It sucks! And at that time, the RTA had gotten to my home to pick me up too late. So, I had to wait on them to pick me up. The dentist was mad at me because of that. And one time for when my husband had me getting to my appointment to late. She was not too happy with that. The receptionist was fine with it, but my hygienist was pissed. Yes, the other receptionist seems to think that she knows it all. And she gets offended when she sees that someone is trying to do her job for her. She is very insensitive. Which is not good for her position.