I don’t know if this has
happened to you yet. If it hasn’t, it surely will. Patients have brought pets
into my office.
I have to admit that,
the first few times, I didn’t even notice. Not being a pet person, I didn’t
realize that my patients had dogs in those bags. The dogs were so quiet that I
never even knew they were there. Then I heard the staff comment on how cute the
doggie was. “What dog?” I asked. I was thus introduced to the world of pets in
a dental office.
I started doing some
research. I could not find a single law that prohibits me from performing
dentistry in the presence of an animal. I found nothing that says an animal can’t
watch me do my dentistry. Here, in California, it is illegal for me to perform
dentistry on an animal unless I also have a veterinary medicine degree. Animal dentistry
is considered a specialty within veterinary medicine in my state. But, as far
as I know, not even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guidelines
for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings prohibit me from
practicing with an animal in my operatory. If I am wrong on this, please
correct me.
Of course, I understand
the need for service dogs. However, as humans, if you give us an inch, we will
take a mile. Now people claim service animals for all kinds of disabilities. This
is important since, although you may wish to keep some animals out of your
office, the American With Disabilities Act limits your options. If someone
claims to have a disability, you would be hard pressed to keep that animal, no
matter what it is, out of your office.
This is precisely the
reason Fido gets to ride first class in an airplane. Airlines now allow “emotional
support” animals to sit with their owners. And, if you claim—and provide
documentation—that you need to have an “emotional support” dog when you fly, what
can the airlines do? We all understand that the fear of flying is real. People
ARE afraid to fly. To some, Fluffy provides emotional comfort.
Can you think of another
setting in which people feel anxiety?
Yes, YOUR office.
Patients need emotional therapy in the dental chair. Thus, you may end up with
a pet, I mean, service animal in your office.
This brings up a couple
of issues. Will non-pet people view your office as “dirty,” because they just
saw Kitty prance through your waiting room? Or, will pet lovers now view your
office as “pet-friendly” even if that is not your intent?
What are your thoughts?
I’d like to know.
Andy Alas, DDS
6 comments:
Interesting. I have not had this situation in my office... YET. It's only a matter of time. Word on the street is that the designation of "service animal" is so liberal and broad, that nearly anyone can qualify their PET... so they can take them anywhere and threaten lawsuits if they meet resistance.
Here's a question... if your assistant is allergic to dogs, then whose "rights" get the priority? Where do you stand legally in that case?
First, off I am a big fan of your Blog. I am humbled that you would read my musings. Thank you.
As to your question. I am not a lawyer, I only pretend to be one in my office. Just as OSHA rules are not there to protect the practice owner (only the employees) the American with Disabilities Act is there to protect your clients and not your practice.
As one of my mentors once told me, "On matters such as these always assume the dentist loses. You'll be less disappointed that way"
Michael, thanks for reading!
Andy
From what I have read there is a difference between service animal and therapy animal. A service animal is there to work for the person, whereas a therapy dog is described as a pet. The information I obtained stated provisions for a therapy dog need not be made where no dogs allowed is enforced. However a service dog needs to be accommodated. A service dog provides the handler with a service, such as, a seeing eye dog, seizure dog, hear impaired aide, etc. A therapy dog does not provide a service. Not sure if this applies to all states though.
I am almost certain it has to be against your state's applicable health code! I love animals, but think that there are places where pups and cats (and pet rodents and reptiles!) just should not be. I think that dental offices falls into that realm, in my view.
The Kitchener Dentist
Hi dude,
Dear admin, this is the post that i am looking for and you are just post it, thats great.The many classify pets as members of one's family and some even consider their pet's as their children. In light of this, out of all the members of one's family, the chances are it will not be difficult to guess who has the worst dental hygiene: the pets.See more at Classifieds Pets
Thanks & welcome.
Juanita Ella
As a veteran with PTSD who utilizes the assistance of a service dog for recognition and comfort during anxiety attacks, let me assure you that my dog is just as necessary as dogs for the other disabilities you have listed here. Therapy dogs provide therapy to people other than their handler in situations that are stressful to the general population such as travel or hospital stays. Just because a person does not have a visible disability goes not negate their need for a service animal.
Post a Comment