DISCLAIMER / WARNING: The opinions or comments expressed are NOT those of the Central Oregon Dental Society, Oregon Dental Association, American Dental Association or any of the Advertisers or Business Partners. Editorials or commentaries are OPINIONS ONLY and are simply meant to encourage discussion or dialogue. Readers are welcome and encouraged to contribute editorials or comments for possible inclusion in future issues.
WARNING: Everything on this page is either for entertainment purposes or to stimulate conversation or debate. It’s personal, opinion based, has a conservative slant and is not meant to offend or upset … only to stimulate discussion or entertain. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
WARNING: The chauvinistic, bipolar, arrogant and politically incorrect commentary and advice of Dr. Rupert do not reflect any advertiser, organization or individuals’ views or opinions … except for Dr. Rupert and is printed for light reading/entertainment purposes only.
Dear Dr. Rupert
2nd WARNING: The chauvinistic, bipolar, arrogant and politically incorrect commentary and advice of Dr. Rupert do not reflect any advertiser, organization or individuals’ views or opinions … except for Dr. Rupert and is printed for light reading/entertainment purposes only.
- Common Sense, Practical, Practice Management Advice for Dental Professionals and Patients
- The All-Knowing, All-Seeing, GURU of Everything Dental & Mental
(Please submit your questions, comments or disgruntled remarks to DearDrRupert@yahoo.com)
January 2025
Dear Dr. Rupert,
Despite a few text and email reminders, I recently overslept and missed my cleaning appointment and my Dentist office charged me $50 for not showing up for a confirmed appointment. I then messed up on the balance of my checkbook and my check ended up bouncing and now I owe another $40 bounced check fee on top of the original $50 that I owed my Dentist.
I’m not happy about having to pay $90 to my Dentist office, especially since my teeth have still not been cleaned! I think that $90 is a lot of money and I am wondering if you have any ideas or thoughts on how I can get out of paying this fee?
Signed, Overcharged for a Service I Didn’t Receive
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Dear Overcharged for a Service You Didn’t Receive,
I’m sure your mom and dad and maybe even your really close friends have already told you this, but you are an idiot! As a grown adult, you should know how to set an alarm and get your lazy butt out of bed in the morning. As a grown adult, you should also know how to balance your checkbook and not overdraw on your checking account. You are getting zero sympathy out of me for being too dumb to function normally and properly in society!
Just because you are an airhead, doesn’t mean your Dentist office has to pay their Hygienist to stand around during a confirmed appointment, or waste their time going to the bank twice to collect on your check. Your incompetence is wasting everyone’s time and you deserve to be penalized for your indifference to the value other people place on their time.
Having gotten that off my chest, I will now try and help you earn or get some of that money back. I routinely bill my Optometrist, Physician, Masseuse, Barber and my child’s Pediatrician’s office anytime they call to reschedule my appointments with less than 24 hours notice. The cancellation fee works both ways as far as I’m concerned. If they are going to charge me for a last minute cancellation or no-show, then it’s only fair that I charge them the same fee when they cancel or move my appointment to suit their schedule and needs. I understand that their time is valuable, but they can’t be indifferent to my time and schedule.
After you have stopped being a space cadet and wasting other people’s time; you can start standing up for yourself and placing a value on your time as well.
Glad I could help,
Dr. Rupert
Central Oregon Dental News 