Does Your Dental Office Have to be ADA Compliant?
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The short answer is yes, mostly. It is important to note that a dental office is not a medical office. Most dental services are not considered medical services by either insurance companies or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some surgery in a person’s mouth conducted by an oral surgeon is considered a medical service.
Another important distinction is that dental services typically do not require an overnight stay at a medical care facility. The 2010 ADA Standards have provisions specifically for medical care facilities where patient rooms for overnight stays are expected.
But, a dental office (entity) is considered a public accommodation. Public accommodations must follow the requirements of the 1991 and/or 2010 ADA Standards, including both the Title III regulations at 28 CFR part 36, subpart D; and the 2004 ADAAG at 36 CFR part 1191, appendices B and D. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities of public accommodations. Public accommodations are considered to be businesses including private entities that are open to the public or that provide goods or services to the public.
As a public accommodation, dental offices are required to comply with the ADA Standards for accessible parking spaces, exterior and interior routes, entrances, lobbies, public toilet rooms, protruding objects, and employee work areas. Noteworthy is dental chairs, as a form of medical equipment, do not have to comply with ADA Standards because their are no specific Standards written for medical equipment such as patient exam tables or chairs. However, there is a requirement for an accessible route to the dental chair.
Furthermore, when necessary, owners/operators of dental offices should modify the office’s policies, practices, or procedures, including the dentistry practice’s cancellation and rescheduling policy, to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
SUMMARY: Dental offices must comply with the ADA Standards because they are public accommodations. Dental offices are not medical care facilities. For additional information see KY Dentist Sued for ADA Non-Compliance.
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