A woman who was willing to go along with a proposed change to her dentist appointment was left in disbelief by what the staff asked for next.
Kelley Johnson, 33, a nurse, media personality, and beauty pageant contestant, was willing to work with a dentist’s office when they requested to change the time of her appointment.
But when the new time they suggested didn’t work for her, she suggested a different day—and was then told she would have to pay a rescheduling fee.
The San Diego-based former Miss California and Miss Colorado appeared to take the bizarre situation in stride, sharing the story on her Threads account @realkelleyjohnson with a series of laughing emojis.
“My dentist just called me to ask if I can come in 30 minutes later than my original appointment time. I said that doesn’t work with my work schedule for that day, but I’m happy to come in another day no problem,” Johnson wrote.
But the dentist’s office told her: “‘Oh…if we move your day we have to charge you a rescheduling fee.’”
Johnson went on with a laughing emoji: “GUYS WHAT?!!”
“My flabbers were completely gasted,” she joked in a comment, and as for whether she would have just canceled the appointment, added: “I think I’d get a cancellation fee at that point. I’m in fee prison!”
It had a big reaction, racking up more than 7,700 likes, as one suggested it was “time to find a new dentist,” and another asked: “Did you charge them a time-change fee?”
“No ma’am, not when they are the ones asking to reschedule! I don’t think so!” another said. And one person, who identified themselves as a dentist, said: “I don’t find this okay. You are absolutely right to want to change dentists.”
Stock image of a modern dental clinic.
Rescheduling fees are common when clients are attempting to change the time or date of many services, from flights and hotel rooms to appointments, including hair, beauty and, at times, medical.
Dental Care in the United States (Short Overview)
But dental care in the U.S. is separate from general healthcare and can be costly, so additional fees may force some customers to find care elsewhere.
Basic services like exams and cleanings typically cost $100–$300, while major procedures (crowns, root canals) can range from several hundred to thousands of dollars.
Most people use dental insurance, often through employers. Plans usually:
Fully cover preventive care
Partially cover basic (70–80%) and major services (~50%)
Have annual limits (around $1,000–$2,000)
Public coverage is limited: Medicaid varies by state, and Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine dental care. As a result, many Americans pay high out‑of‑pocket costs, especially for major treatments. Charging fees because the clinic itself needs to reschedule may seem superfluous.
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