Assistance dogs
SA Dental welcomes accredited assistance dogs during your visit to our clinics.
The Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 (SA) (DCM Act), the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA) (EO Act) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DD Act) each confer rights and impose obligations in relation to assistance animals.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 identifies an assistance dog as:
- trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and
- meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.
Assistance dogs are issued with identity cards or a public access licence which the handler should show if requested.
Assistance dogs are issued with identity cards (through the Dog and Cat Management Board) or certification from a vet or training organisation (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992) which confirms they meet the appropriate standards of hygiene and behaviour.
The documentation provided will be noted in your record to assist with future dental visits.
Personal pets and the following animals are not permitted on SA Dental sites:
- rodents, reptiles, and spiders
- birds and marsupials
- any animal that looks unwell
