Disability part 1: the disability discrimination act (1995)--implications for dentists.

The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) (DDA) aims to end the discrimination which many disabled people face in their day-to-day lives. (1) But how many dentists are aware of their responsibilities under this Act? Dentists are already bound by Parts I and II of the DDA, but Part III, which is due to come into effect in 2004, and which is concerned with physical alterations to premises, has potentially profound implications for many in dental practice. Health Authorities in Merseyside, in the North West of England have been exploring ways in which access to dental care for disabled people can be improved. In this paper, the first of a series of three, we outline the DDA and how it affects dentists in general practice.