Cancellation Policy | Dr. Greer Lingham Dental Practice

Our Commitment to You

At Dr. Greer Lingham Dental Practice, we value your time and ours. When you book an appointment, we reserve that time exclusively for you, prepare the necessary materials, and ensure Dr. Lingham is available to provide you with her full attention and expertise.

Last-minute cancellations and no-shows prevent us from offering that slot to another patient in need, and they significantly impact our ability to maintain the high standard of care you expect.

1. Cancellation Notice Requirements

We require at least 24 hours' notice for any cancellation or rescheduling of appointments. This allows us sufficient time to offer your slot to another patient.

1.1 What Constitutes a Late Cancellation

A cancellation is considered late if:

You cancel with less than 24 hours' notice before your scheduled appointment time
You cancel on the same day as your appointment
You fail to attend your appointment without any prior notice (no-show)
You arrive more than 15 minutes late without prior communication, resulting in an inability to complete your scheduled treatment

2. Cancellation Fee Structure

Standard Cancellation Fee: R550.00

This fee is payable in full before any future appointment can be scheduled.

2.1 When the Fee Applies

The R550.00 cancellation fee applies in the following circumstances:

Cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice
Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notice (no-show)
Repeated cancellations (two or more late cancellations within a 6-month period)

2.2 How to Pay the Cancellation Fee

The cancellation fee must be settled before your next appointment can be confirmed. Payment can be made by:

Cash at the practice
Card payment at the practice
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) — proof of payment must be emailed or WhatsApped to the practice

3. Exceptions and Considerations

We understand that genuine emergencies occur. The cancellation fee may be waived at the practice's discretion in the following circumstances, provided reasonable documentation or explanation is given:

Medical emergency requiring hospitalisation (doctor's note or hospital documentation required)
Sudden severe illness on the day of appointment
Family emergency (death, accident, or sudden critical illness of immediate family member)
Adverse weather conditions making travel unsafe or impossible

Requests for waiver must be made in writing (email or WhatsApp) within 48 hours of the missed appointment, with supporting documentation where applicable.

Note: Work commitments, traffic, forgetting the appointment, or minor illness (e.g., common cold without fever) do not qualify for waiver of the cancellation fee. We encourage patients to plan accordingly and set reminders.

4. Repeated Cancellations and No-Shows

Patients who repeatedly cancel late or fail to attend appointments may face additional measures:

Second offence: Cancellation fee of R550.00 plus requirement of a 50% deposit for future bookings
Third offence: Cancellation fee of R550.00 plus requirement of full prepayment for future bookings
Fourth offence: The practice reserves the right to refuse future appointments

These measures are necessary to protect the practice's sustainability and ensure fair access to care for all patients.

5. Rescheduling Appointments

If you need to reschedule your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible:

With more than 24 hours' notice: No fee applies. We will gladly find you a new suitable time.
With less than 24 hours' notice: The cancellation fee of R550.00 applies, even if you reschedule to a new date.

We recommend rescheduling rather than cancelling outright, as this demonstrates good faith and helps us manage our diary effectively.

6. How to Cancel or Reschedule

To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us using one of the following methods:

Telephone: 012 880 2965 or 012 361 2188 (during business hours)
WhatsApp: 067 792 4947 — please include your full name, appointment date, and reason for cancellation

Please do not rely on social media messages for cancellations, as these may not be monitored in real-time.

7. Why This Policy Exists

Dr. Greer Lingham runs a personal, single-practitioner dental practice. Unlike large corporate chains, every appointment directly impacts the practice's ability to:

Cover operational costs (rent, equipment, materials, staff)
Maintain fair pricing for all patients
Provide timely care to patients on the waiting list
Compensate Dr. Lingham for her time and expertise

When an appointment is missed without adequate notice, that time cannot be recovered. The cancellation fee is not punitive—it is a necessary measure to ensure the practice remains viable and can continue serving the Menlyn community with the high standard of care you expect.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting our time, just as we respect yours.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Cancellation Policy, please contact us:

Dr. Greer Lingham Dental Practice
Shop G152a Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Cnr Atterbury Road & Lois Avenue
Menlyn, 0181

Telephone: 012 880 2965 / 012 361 2188
WhatsApp: 067 792 4947
Website: www.drgreerlingham.co.za