Can I be charged a cancellation fee when I haven't visted the office yet? (Dental)?

My daughter had an appt today to a dentist we've never been to. She got sick and we cannot take her. We cancelled 1/2 hour before the appointment. I know it's close...but we've never been to the office (new doctor) and haven't signed any paperwork. Can they legally charge us a cancellation fee?





I have yet to talk to their woman that handles this, she will be calling me back apparently.

Can I be charged a cancellation fee when I haven't visted the office yet? (Dental)?
Yes, alot of places do that, like $25.00. Since they were reserving that time for you, they are now losing revenu.
Reply:I think yes because you booked that time with them and canceling 1/2 before there is no way they can book that spot so they are loosing money because they could have put a paying customer in that spot instead of you. ( Sorry if that comes across hateful)
Reply:normally, they will charge you if you do not cancel 24 hours in advance. Cancelling 30min before is cutting it too close. I would anticipate having to pay a fee.
Reply:Yes, to them time really is money. They should have informed you when you made the appointment of a specific amount of time you have before hand in order to avoid the charge. Unfortunately, this is legal and quite common. It's sucks, but that's how they recoop the money they lost from not having any appointments lined up for that slot.