Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility

Aiea Pearl City Dental Care LLP ("the Practice") is committed to treating every patient with dignity, respect, and compassion. The Practice does not unlawfully discriminate against any patient or prospective patient on the basis of any characteristic protected under applicable federal or Hawaii state law.

The Practice does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of:

• Race, color, or national origin
• Ancestry or ethnicity
• Sex, including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions
• Gender identity or expression
• Sexual orientation
• Religion or creed
• Age
• Disability or perceived disability (physical or mental)
• Marital or familial status
• Veteran or military status
• Use of a service animal
• Any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or Hawaii law

This commitment applies to all aspects of care and services provided by the Practice, including scheduling, treatment, communications, billing, and referrals.

The Practice's nondiscrimination obligations arise under the following laws:

• Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.: As a place of public accommodation, the Practice is subject to Title III of the ADA regardless of whether it participates in federal healthcare programs. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and requires reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures, as well as the provision of effective communication through auxiliary aids and services.
• Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 489 (Discrimination in Public Accommodations): Hawaii law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation on the basis of race; sex (including gender identity or expression); sexual orientation; color; religion; ancestry; and disability, including the use of a service animal. Hawaii law may provide broader protections than federal law in certain respects.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; and Other Applicable Federal Law: Additional federal civil rights laws may apply to the extent relevant to the Practice's operations.

The Practice is committed to providing access to its services for patients with disabilities consistent with the requirements of the ADA and applicable Hawaii law.

Physical Accessibility

The Practice's office is wheelchair accessible. The Practice makes reasonable efforts to ensure its physical facilities are accessible to patients with mobility-related disabilities consistent with applicable ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

Reasonable Modifications

The Practice will make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the services provided or would impose an undue burden. Patients requiring a specific accommodation are encouraged to contact our office in advance of their appointment so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Equipment

Some dental equipment used in the Practice is subject to manufacturer-specified weight capacity limitations necessary for patient safety and equipment integrity. Patients who have questions about equipment accommodations, or who believe they may require specialized equipment, are encouraged to contact our office in advance. The Practice will make good-faith efforts to assist affected patients in identifying and coordinating appropriate care, whether within this Practice or by referral to a provider with suitable equipment and facilities.

The Practice is committed to ensuring effective communication with patients who have disabilities affecting hearing, vision, speech, or other communication-related functions. Upon request, the Practice will make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, which may include:

• Qualified sign language interpreters or other qualified interpreters
• Written materials and written communications in accessible formats
• Video remote interpreting (VRI) services
• TTY or text-based communication alternatives
• Other aids or services appropriate to the patient's communication needs

Patients requiring communication assistance are encouraged to contact our office in advance of their appointment. The Practice will give primary consideration to the patient's expressed preference for a particular auxiliary aid or service while retaining the right to select among effective alternatives.

In accordance with the ADA and Hawaii HRS Chapter 489, the Practice welcomes patients accompanied by service animals trained to perform work or tasks for individuals with disabilities. Service animals are permitted in all areas of the Practice where patients are normally permitted to go.

The Practice's staff may ask only two questions to determine if an animal qualifies as a service animal: (1) Is this a service animal required because of a disability? (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? The Practice will not require documentation, proof of training, certification, or identification.

Patients whose service animals may be restricted from certain clinical areas for patient safety or infection control reasons will be offered reasonable alternative arrangements to ensure they receive care. An animal's presence will not be used as a basis to refuse treatment.

Aiea Pearl City Dental Care LLP is a private general dentistry practice. Certain patients may require referral to dental specialists, oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, dental anesthesiologists, hospitals, or other healthcare providers based on clinical judgment and the scope of services available at this Practice. Referrals may be made when, in the independent professional judgment of the treating clinician, a patient's care requires:

• Sedation or anesthesia capabilities not available at this Practice
• Specialized clinical training, expertise, or procedures beyond the scope of general dentistry
• Medical monitoring or hospital-based care for medically complex patients
• Behavioral support services or specialized management techniques
• Specialized pediatric dental care or management for certain pediatric patient populations
• Equipment, facilities, or staffing not available at this Practice
• Other specialty or subspecialty care in the best interest of the patient's health and safety

The Practice reserves the right to make individualized treatment and scheduling determinations based upon lawful clinical, operational, and safety considerations, including:

• Independent professional clinical judgment regarding treatment appropriateness
• Patient safety and the safety of other patients and staff
• Medical complexity and the availability of appropriate monitoring capabilities
• Equipment capabilities and manufacturer safety specifications
• Infection control requirements and applicable clinical standards
• Staffing availability and qualifications
• Scope of services within a private general dentistry practice
• Emergency preparedness and facility limitations
• Applicable professional standards and ethics obligations

Such determinations are made on an individualized basis and are not based on any patient's protected class status.

Requesting an Accommodation

Patients who require an accessibility accommodation, auxiliary aid, or reasonable modification to receive services from this Practice are encouraged to contact our office in advance of their appointment:

Internal Grievance Process

Patients who believe they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or who have been denied a requested accommodation may submit a written grievance to the Practice using the contact information above. The Practice will acknowledge receipt of the grievance and respond in a reasonable timeframe. The Practice is committed to reviewing all grievances in good faith and working toward appropriate resolution.

External Complaint Procedures

Patients who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination may file a complaint with the following external agencies at no cost:

This Notice may be updated periodically to reflect changes in applicable law, office capabilities, practice operations, professional standards, or healthcare requirements. The current version of this Notice will be posted in the Practice's office and made available upon request.

Questions regarding this Notice or requests for accommodation may be directed to: