East Yorkshire dentist appeals for kindness after receiving abuse over postponed appointments
A dentist from East Yorkshire has appealed for patients to be kind and understanding after receiving abuse due to having to rearrange or postpone appointments during the pandemic.
Caroline Bollard, principal dentist at South Cave Dental Surgery, wrote an open letter to patients, which has been published on the practice website and social media profiles. In the letter, Caroline urged patients to be kind and compassionate when contacted about rearranging or delaying appointments. The surgery provides care for 23,000 patients and staff are working through backlogs created by the Covid-19 crisis.
After receiving abuse from patients who have had appointments cancelled or rearranged, Caroline encouraged people to be mindful of the situation and to understand that it is impossible to see everyone with restrictions still in place and the team prioritising those with urgent needs.
In the letter, Caroline said that her staff team was “tired” and “battered” but everyone is committed to providing the best possible service. Dentists have been working throughout the pandemic since practices reopened in June and it has been a very difficult time. Caroline said that her staff was receiving abuse daily and urged patients who are contacted by the team to discuss appointments to be “kind and considerate.”
The surgery has remained open, protecting staff and patients by complying with all the latest regulations while trying to provide a service that is as close to normal as possible for patients.
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