A note on terms first: in this post, “ADA” means the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law. It does not mean the American Dental Association, which is named in full. This post is a checklist built from U.S. Department of Justice guidance. It is general education and not legal advice. An attorney can advise on a specific office.
Does the ADA apply to a dental practice website?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) says yes for businesses open to the public. Its guidance says Title III of the ADA “prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by businesses open to the public.” It states that the department “has consistently taken the position” that ADA requirements apply to goods and services offered on the web.
A dental office is a business open to the public, so the guidance is the place to start. Whether it covers your office in a given case is a legal question for an attorney. The DOJ page also says its guidance does not reflect rules published in April 2024 for state and local governments, which do not apply to a private practice.
Is there a technical standard to follow?
The DOJ says it has no detailed rule for private business websites, and that businesses may choose how to comply. It states: “The Department of Justice does not have a regulation setting out detailed standards, but the Department’s longstanding interpretation of the general nondiscrimination and effective communication provisions applies to web accessibility.”
The DOJ also says that “existing technical standards provide helpful guidance.” These include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and Section 508 standards that the federal government uses for its own websites. Flexibility in method does not remove the duty. The DOJ adds that businesses “still must ensure” that what they offer online is accessible. The glossary explains web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What does the DOJ list as common barriers?
The DOJ lists barriers that lock people out of a website. Each has a simple form on a dental site.
| Barrier the DOJ names | Where it shows up on a practice site |
|---|---|
| Poor color contrast | Light gray text on a white page |
| Color used alone to give information | Red text alone marking required form fields |
| Images with no text alternative | Team photos, maps and charts |
| Videos with no captions | Welcome videos and patient education clips |
| Unlabeled forms and unclear errors | Contact and new-patient forms |
| No keyboard navigation | Menus that only work with a mouse |
What is a plain accessibility checklist for the website?
The DOJ guidance lists practices that businesses should consider. Use the list below as a starting point for a conversation with your web vendor.
- Color contrast. Check that text stands out from its background.
- Text cues with color. Add the word “required,” not only red text, on required fields.
- Alt text. Give images short, descriptive text alternatives.
- Captions. Add accurate, synchronized captions to videos.
- Forms. Use labels, keyboard access and clear instructions. The DOJ says these “are important for forms to be accessible.”
- Keyboard use. Make sure the whole site works without a mouse.
- Text size and zoom. Check that the page still works when a visitor enlarges the text.
- Headings. Build headings into the page layout so screen readers can find them.
- Reporting. Give visitors a way to report accessibility problems, so the office can fix them.
The DOJ page also covers checking for accessibility and giving the public a way to report problems. It says its list is not complete. Read the full page with your vendor. Testing with a screen reader and with the keyboard alone shows problems that a quick look misses.
What does the American Dental Association add?
The American Dental Association has a page on federal accessibility rules for dental practices. It says dentists “are responsible for providing quality dental care that is accessible to everyone.” It calls the Americans with Disabilities Act “the broadest” of several laws, and says the law “applies to most government agencies and many private businesses, even if they do not receive federal funding.”
The page also tells dentists to “ensure your patient-facing technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities.” That includes online forms, scheduling tools and portals, not only the public pages of a website. The ADA page links to other topics, such as effective communication and Section 1557 of federal law.
How can an office keep this on track?
Accessibility is not a one-time fix, because sites change. The steps below keep a checklist alive.
| Step | Owner |
|---|---|
| Add an accessibility line to the web vendor contract and to every site update | Practice owner or office manager |
| Test new pages with keyboard only | Web vendor |
| Review forms after any change to the scheduling or intake tool | Office manager |
| Keep a visible way for visitors to report a problem | Practice owner |
| Revisit the checklist each year | Office manager |
The glossary also explains the electronic health record, which patient portals often connect to. The related posts on HIPAA for dental offices and ransomware and data breaches cover other patient-facing technology risks. The dental compliance checklist lists the wider set of compliance areas. Website choices also belong in the wider dental technology pillar.
Next step
Read the dental compliance checklist for the wider view. To ask about consulting, contact Dr. Copeland about consulting.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ADA apply to dental practice websites?
The Department of Justice says the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to businesses open to the public, including what they offer online. Here ADA means the Americans with Disabilities Act, not the American Dental Association. An attorney can advise on a specific office.
Is there a federal technical standard for private business websites?
The Department of Justice says it does not have a regulation setting out detailed standards for this, and that businesses can choose how to comply. It points to existing technical standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines as helpful guidance.
What does the American Dental Association say about accessibility?
The American Dental Association has a page on federal accessibility and anti-discrimination requirements for dentists. It says the Americans with Disabilities Act is the broadest of several laws and that patient-facing technology should be accessible.
Terms on this page
Sources
- ADA.gov: Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA
- ADA.gov: Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA, legal basis
- ADA.gov: Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA, forms
- American Dental Association: Navigating Accessibility
Written by Copeland Consulting Services and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Rules, data and guidance change, so check the linked page before you act on it.