Dentists No Longer Permitted to Turn Away Patients Due to Disabilities
February 28, 2019
By: Blythe Bernhard
Source: Disability Scoop
People with developmental disabilities may find it easier to get dental care after a national board changed its ethics policy to be more inclusive.
The American Dental Association recently revised its code of conduct to prohibit denial of care to patients with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities. In cases where a dentist does not have the equipment or expertise to meet a particular person’s special needs, the code now requires them to refer the patient to an appropriate dentist rather than simply turning them away.
Dr. James Smith, who leads the ethics council of the dental association, called the change which took effect late last year “the right thing to do.”