Reasonable Adjustments in Dental Practice

Reasonable adjustments reduce barriers that make dental care harder for disabled people. Practical examples include longer appointment slots, quieter waiting arrangements, a pre-visit, visual information, a familiar dental nurse, a clear stop signal, step-by-step explanations and booking at a time of day the patient copes better.

Adjustments dental nurses can suggest

• A note on the booking screen about communication and waiting needs.
• A quieter arrival route or reduced waiting time.
• Photos, models, Easy Read information, or a simple visit plan.
• A stop signal and agreed pause routine.
• Shorter staged appointments or desensitisation visits.

Adjustments should be recorded and reviewed. If an agreed adjustment is not used, the patient may lose trust and the team may misinterpret distress as "non-compliance". Dental nurses can help by checking notes before the patient arrives and reminding the team of the plan.

Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag

A reasonable adjustment is only useful if the team can find it, understand it, and use it at the next appointment.