At Fear Free Dental, we truly love what we do — caring for our patients, building trust, and helping keep smiles healthy. Every appointment you schedule represents dedicated time we set aside just for you: a treatment room prepared, a provider ready, and a team organized around your visit.

Unfortunately, over the past several months, we’ve seen a significant increase in last-minute cancellations and no-shows, and today was a perfect example of why this matters. By 10:30 a.m., we had already received six last-minute cancellations.

That’s six reserved appointment slots that other patients could have used — six opportunities for care that went unused, and six blocks of time our team had carefully prepared for. This isn’t just a scheduling inconvenience — it has a real impact on patient care and the financial health of our small business.

Why Last-Minute Cancellations Hurt

When someone cancels with very little notice (or doesn’t show up at all), we don’t have enough time to offer that appointment to another patient who’s waiting. Our hygienists and clinical team are ready and scheduled to work, rooms are set up, and the day is built around caring for the patients on the books.

For us, that lost time represents more than just a gap in the day — it represents lost opportunities for other patients to receive care, and it directly affects our ability to keep the practice running smoothly.

Emergencies Happen — Communication Makes All the Difference

We completely understand that true emergencies happen. Life can be unpredictable, and we will always do our best to work with anyone who communicates with us.

The challenge comes when appointments are missed or canceled last-minute without any communication, leaving us unable to help another patient in that time slot. A quick phone call or message ahead of time can make all the difference.

Our New No-Show Policy

Starting November 1st, 2025, we’re updating our no-show and late cancellation policy.
👉 A $120 fee will apply to all missed or late-canceled appointments when we receive less than 24 business hours’ notice.

Because we’re closed on weekends, this means that for Monday appointments, we must hear from you by Thursday of the week before to avoid the fee.

This update isn’t about collecting fees — it’s about ensuring we can continue to offer timely care to our patients and keep our doors open to serve our community. It’s about respecting each other’s time.

This Message Goes to All Patients

We’re sharing this message publicly because this policy applies to everyone, not individual patients. It’s part of our commitment to creating a fair and reliable schedule for all, while protecting our ability to stay fully staffed and operational.

Thank You for Your Support

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support as we make this change. By communicating early if you need to cancel or reschedule, you’re not only respecting our team’s time — you’re helping another patient get the care they need.

Together, we can keep our practice thriving and our community smiling. 💙