UK dentistry: Can a dental practice refuse to take a patient with additional needs?

Dentists have the lawful right to refuse patients, but the law prohibits them from doing so in some circumstances.

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Dental care providers can lawfully choose which patients they accept, but they must not refuse to do so if it’s classed as discriminatory. For example, refusing to accept Muslim or autistic people solely because of who they are would almost always be unlawful.

In the UK, discrimination against certain characteristics — such as age, religion, sexuality, race, disability, gender identity, and political beliefs — is prohibited under a variety of different laws. The main legal documents that prohibit discrimination are the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, international treaties, and the common law, as well as case law. And, if you believe that you have been unlawfully discriminated against, you may have grounds for legal action and/or to make a complaint.

Now that we’ve covered the law on when dentists don’t have the right to refuse patients, when can they legally do so? Dentists can refuse patients for any reason they see fit so long as it’s not discriminatory or against a written contract between their patients and the practice concerned. For example, a dental practice could refuse to take a patient if they are fully booked, have grounds to believe the patient won’t pay for their treatment, or for any other reason not prohibited by the law.

Now that we’ve covered when dentists can refuse a patient legally, how do you know if you’ve been unlawfully denied an appointment? Generally speaking, when you attempt to make an appointment, you will either be accepted or turned away and have the reason given in writing or over the phone. And, so, if the practice says that they can’t accept patients with hidden disabilities — such as autism, ADHD, or Down Syndrome — and no aggravating factors are involved, then that would typically be discriminatory. However, there are exceptions, so it’s best to contact Citizen’s Advice or a qualified legal counsel if you’re unsure whether you’ve been treated unlawfully by the practice.