The new school year is underway and whether your child is attending class in person or virtually at home, your schedule is probably full with little-to-no availability throughout the week. It can be hard trying to find the time to see your dentist. You know it’s important, and you know what can happen if you cancel or skip out on your appointment, but how do you find the time when it seems as if it’s not there? Before you throw up your hands and claim defeat, check out these three tips that will help you schedule and keep your next dental checkup.
Stick to a Particular Time of Year
When looking at your calendar, try to avoid times that will likely have you stretched thin. Holidays, back-to-school, and even the end of the fiscal year at work may be some of the most trying and stressful because of your lack of time. Choose months when things seem to slow down (in some capacity). Whether it is the start of a new year or the start of summer, you may find available time slots because of either time off or a change in your schedule.
Every person is different, so what may work for a colleague or friend may not for you, so spend some time reviewing your calendar, choose a time of year that works best for you, and stick to it.
Add Your Appointment to Your Calendar in Advance
After writing your appointment date and time down on a piece of paper, don’t wait to add it to your phone’s calendar. Instead, do it the moment you hang up. But don’t just plug in the date and time, set reminders a few weeks in advance of your appointment. This will be helpful as your calendar begins to fill up. Oftentimes, people forget to include these visits and after scheduling another meeting or event, they’re quick to cancel their visit to the dentist.
Don’t let this happen to you. Put your appointment on the calendar and don’t hesitate to set a reminder for weeks, days, and even hours before your visit.
Before You Leave, Schedule Your Next Appointment
If a member of the administrative staff asks, “Would you like to go ahead and schedule your next appointment,” take them up on this offer. Don’t say, “No, thank you,” because it’s highly unlikely you’ll remember to schedule at a later time. Life gets busy, so remembering to call and lock in a date with your dentist won’t be high on your priority list.
Instead, go ahead and take care of it during your appointment. This will ensure you’re ready to go in six months, and you don’t have to worry about another item on your to-do list.
So, what are you waiting for? Carve out a few minutes today to look at your calendar and start making some decisions. By adhering to these three helpful tips, you’ll not only keep your dentist happy by keeping your appointments, but you’ll also be proactive in staying on top of your oral health and avoiding unnecessary problems in the future.
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington opened his own practice in 2002 and has been helping the city’s residents achieve healthier smiles ever since. He and the team at Cowlitz River Dental know finding time to seek necessary dental care isn’t always easy. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, and obligations at home, your availability is often slim. This is why his team will work to schedule your visit during a time that is convenient for you. If you need assistance scheduling your next appointment, visit our website or call (360) 274-9100.