Sept. CDA journal focuses on dentistry and disabilities act

The September issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association focuses on the dentist's role and obligations in caring for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (AwDA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act in California, according to the California Dental Association (CDA).

The article "Dentistry's Intrinsic Link to Provision of Services for Persons with Disabilities" provides a background on disabilities, education, practice, and provision of services related to statutory and regulatory requirements, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

"Reducing the Risk of an AwDA Lawsuit" explains how improving access to your dental office now is more cost-effective than waiting to be sued. The authors review basics of the AwDA, access to dental service, incentives to improve accessibility to your practice, reducing risks associated with lawsuits, violations, filing a complaint, and legal processes.

"Is Your Dental Office Accessible to People with Disabilities?" offers a brief history of state legislation, including legislation in 2008 regarding certified access specialists and voluntary facility inspections to reduce accessibility claims. It also explains how barrier-free access enhances customer satisfaction and could bring in potential patients who might have been deterred by even commonplace conditions that can limit accessibility.

Abusive and often unjustified litigation over the Americans with Disabilities Act has been an ongoing problem for dentists and other healthcare professionals for more than two decades. In the article "Disabled Access Claims: Issues and Liability," the author reviews some of the history around the AwDA and California's disabled access laws in order to understand how we got to where we are today.