# Disappointing Experiences - Poor Scheduling, Disrespect for Patients' Time, and Privacy Concerns…read more
I have had multiple disappointing experiences with A&M Dental in Manalapan, NJ, which have raised serious concerns about the practice's professionalism, communication, respect for patients' time, and handling of confidential patient information.
**1. Unreasonable Appointment Cancellation and Attempted Fee**
I had an appointment scheduled for Monday at 3:00 PM, which I confirmed the previous Thursday, several days in advance.
Despite having already confirmed my appointment, the office subsequently informed me that they had canceled it because I did not respond to an additional phone call. To make matters worse, they wanted to charge me a cancellation fee for an appointment that I had already confirmed and that the office itself canceled.
This is completely unreasonable. What is the purpose of confirming an appointment in advance if the office is going to disregard that confirmation and cancel it anyway? Patients arrange their schedules around these appointments and deserve the same consideration and respect for their time that the practice expects from them.
**2. Lack of Respect for Patients' Time**
On another occasion, I was scheduled as one of the first appointments of the day. I arrived on time, only to wait approximately an hour before being seen.
During this time, the staff appeared to be having a meeting. I could hear them laughing, joking, and engaging in what sounded like casual conversations rather than attending to waiting patients.
While I understand that occasional delays are unavoidable, keeping one of the first patients of the day waiting for nearly an hour without an apparent explanation is unacceptable. The delay ultimately caused me to be late for work.
Patients have jobs, responsibilities, and schedules to maintain. If the office expects patients to arrive on time and threatens cancellation fees when appointments are missed, it should demonstrate the same level of accountability and respect for its patients' time.
**3. Serious Concerns About Patient Privacy**
During another visit, when I entered the examination room, I noticed that another patient's information was displayed on the computer screen.
This was extremely concerning. Dental practices are entrusted with sensitive personal and medical information, and patients should reasonably expect that their records will be protected from being viewed by others.
While I cannot determine whether this constituted a HIPAA violation, it certainly raised questions about the office's procedures for protecting confidential patient information. If another patient's information was visible to me, how can I be confident that my own information is being properly safeguarded?
**Overall Experience**
Taken together, these incidents reflect what I consider a troubling pattern of poor communication, questionable administrative practices, disregard for patients' time, and inadequate attention to patient privacy.
What makes these experiences particularly frustrating is the apparent double standard: patients are expected to strictly follow appointment policies, yet the office does not appear to hold itself to the same standards when it comes to honoring appointments and respecting patients' schedules.
I am sharing these experiences so prospective patients can make an informed decision before choosing A&M Dental.
**Patients deserve professionalism, accountability, respect for their time, and confidence that their personal information is being protected. Unfortunately, my experiences with this practice have fallen short of those expectations.**
