DRP Assists Allegheny County Man with Autism and Intellectual Disability Access Dental Care

DRP successfully intervened on behalf of an Allegheny County man with autism and intellectual disability who was denied treatment by his dentist.  Although the dentist had treated him for 15 years, the dentist refused to give the man an appointment after claiming that the man banged his head and kicked the door at his last appointment.  When his mother contacted the office, the manager told her that the dentist did not treat individuals with mental health disabilities.  DRP wrote a letter to the dentist’s office, explaining that its refusal to treat the man due to his disability violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.  After receiving the letter, the dentist agreed that the man would be welcome back to his practice for treatment.