The Marion County Health Department operates ten dental clinics and one mobile vehicle and provides dental health services to residents of Marion County which includes the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. High patient appointment failure rates or no-show rates significantly affects the efficient delivery of dental services. Implementing a same day call-in procedure has reduced this no-show rate and has improved the delivery of services to the medically underserved. Data comparing no-show rates in a same day call-in clinic and in a traditional appointment only clinic will be provided as well as any unique problems or difficulties encountered in implementing this system.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify factors that affect patient no-show rates in a public health dental clinic setting. Recognizing these factors and creating procedures to minimize these factors and decrease patient no-show rates will be discussed.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.