How do dental practices remind patients of appointments?

Usually a mix: a text or email a few days out, a reminder the day before, and a recall for six-month checkups. Practices with older patient lists lean on phone calls because many patients do not read text or email.

What is a dental recall reminder?

A recall reminds a patient that they are due for a routine visit, typically every six months, rather than confirming a booking they already have. The recall email above is written for exactly that.

Can I automate dental reminder calls?

Yes. DoNotify places the reminder and recall calls on a schedule, so the front desk does not spend the morning on the phone. It reaches landlines too, which suits an older patient base.

Dental Appointment Reminder Templates (Email, Text & Call)

Dental Appointment Reminder Templates

Reminder wording written for a dental practice, including the six-month recall that generic templates miss. Swap the [brackets] and use the channel that fits your patients.

Checkup or cleaning reminder (text)

Hi [First name], reminder of your dental appointment at [Practice] on [Date] at [Time]. Reply or call [Phone] to reschedule.

Six-month recall (email)

Subject: Time for your checkup at [Practice]
Hi [First name],
It has been about six months since your last visit, so you are due for a checkup and cleaning. Call [Phone] or reply to this email and we will find a time that works.
[Practice]

Day-before reminder (call script)

Hello, this is [Practice] with a reminder of your dental appointment tomorrow, [Date], at [Time]. That is tomorrow at [Time]. If you need to change it, call [Phone]. Thank you.

Treatment or hygienist follow-up (text)

[Practice]: your next treatment with [Clinician] is [Date] at [Time]. Please arrive 5 minutes early. Reply to confirm.

Missed-appointment recall (email)

Subject: We missed you, [First name]
We had you booked in on [Date] and did not see you. Your dental health matters to us, so call [Phone] whenever you are ready and we will get you back in.
[Practice]

Stop sending these by hand

Recalls slip six months at a time, and a card in the mail rarely comes back. DoNotify sends the reminder for you on a schedule: write the wording once, and it goes out as a real phone call to any handset, landline or mobile, with no app for the person receiving it. Voicemail gets a retry, and every call is logged. There are 14 free reminder calls to try it, no card required.

Start free or see how appointment reminder calls work.