The Americans with Disabilities Act requires nondiscrimination for which group(s)?

• A. Disabled patients should not be discriminated against, and disabled dental hygienists should be protected from discrimination in the workplace.
• B. Discrimination is allowed against disabled patients under certain circumstances.
• C. ADA applies only to public buildings, not clinics.
• D. ADA requires separate facilities for disabled patients.

Answer: (A)

The ADA protects individuals with disabilities in employment and in accessing services, so it covers both patients and workers in a dental setting. In practice, that means patients with disabilities must be treated without discrimination and must have reasonable accommodations to receive care. It also means employees with disabilities, such as a dental hygienist, are protected from workplace discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodations so they can perform their job. So describing nondiscrimination toward disabled patients and protection for disabled dental hygienists in the workplace reflects the law’s protections in both patient services and employment. The other ideas misstate the law by suggesting discrimination is allowed, limiting the scope to public buildings, or requiring separate facilities.