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When adults fail to show up for an appointment, they are thought to be “unreliable.” How do you refer to children whose parents either fail to bring them to a scheduled appointment or only bring them when they are in pain? Parents who fail to keep their children’s appointments have many reasons, some economic and some due to failure to understand the ramifications and consequences of poor oral health.
Clinicians have a responsibility to educate patients and parents, and parents are responsible when they ignore symptoms and choose to defer treatment. In many instances, understanding the reasons for the neglect is important. Patients who live with one parent and who rely on another for bill payment can find it difficult to work with a system where the expectation is payment at the time of service.
In this instance, parents need to be educated about possible resources so that necessary treatment can be completed.
Repeated breaking of appointments, failure to follow through on an accepted treatment plan, stopping payments to your office, etc. can mean intervention is necessary to protect the child’s oral health.
When children begin but do not complete a treatment plan, the clinician should investigate the reason. Parents and guardians should understand why the treatment is needed. This should be presented in written form.
If months go by without contact, documented and repeated attempts to reach the parent/guardian must be made. A certified letter indicating the child’s condition should then be sent. Once signed, this becomes a legally binding document.
(Source: Modern Hygienist, Summer 2008)
