"Struck off by my dental practice for being Deaf"

Last week I had dentist appointment and was a few minutes late. As I had to cancel my previous appointment (and get someone to phone for me because I'm Deaf). I was refused new appointment and told I was being struck off. The receptionist went from talking to me in a loud voice to relaying this information in a quiet voice despite fully knowing I'm deaf.

This was humiliating and done in front of patients waiting. I asked for this to be given to me in writing and she told me the practice dentist making the decision would refuse. I had to get her to spell out names so I could lip read her to take notes.

I strongly believe this is directly linked to my raising complaint about lack of deaf awareness and means of communication at the practice 2 days earlier.

On the occasion that I made a complaint about, I went in to rearrange appointment from cancellation. I was told I woud have to ring in despite repeatedly telling them I'm deaf and find it difficult to use the telephone (why in this day and age they don't have an online booking system or email system).

The receptionist refused to make emergency appointment telling me I must ring in. I told them this broke the Equalities Act 2010 and was discriminatory not to make reasonable adjustments. She went off and spoke to the practice manager who then agreed an appointment could be made.

I then insisted on speaking to the practice manager to raise the issues and spent some time suggesting ways of improving their communication for deaf people and other's who cannot use the telephone.

I was never given any warning that I would be struck off it was told to me in such a public manner it was disgraceful.

THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON NHS ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH:

1. Finding a dentist if you are deaf - there is no info on dentists that have deaf awareness , email, website to contact them.

2. My rights in addressing being struck off - the NHS places emphasis on MY complaining surely this should be easier to deal with - why is it automatically assumed as my fault?

3. I have to write in complaint to the dentist about my treatment despite not being given a complaints policy when I was told by the receptionist to write in to the complaints co-ordinator.

As far as I'm concerned this dentist has not only discriminatory towards me but but rude as well. I have always dreaded going in because staff always shout.

Now I have uphill battle to find a new NHS dentist and urgent dental treatment for two fillings that have fallen out.