Themba Dlamini (52) says he was appalled by the treatment he received from staff at KwaThema Dental Clinic recently.
The Job Maseko resident says when he visited the clinic to have his teeth cleaned, the first question he was asked was if he is a smoker.
He explains that after answering yes, he was informed by the reception staff member that the clinic would not clean his teeth because he smokes.
Themba says when he asked for a reason, he was told “management had taken that decision.”
“I left and returned a few hours later and the same staff member recognised me and again told me I could not be assisted,”explains Themba.
He says the treatment infringes on his constitutional right, especially since he pays heavy tax charged on cigarettes.
“What I want to know is, what other health services are being denied to smokers by government institutions?”He added.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesman Simon Zwane said clinic management acknowledged the incident.
He adds that Themba was informed by an intern that scaling and polishing of teeth is not done at the clinic for smokers.
“He was however told to wait for a doctor to examine him and explain how patients are prioritised for this procedure but he left the clinic before he could be seen,” states Zwane.
After the Department of Health was alerted about this incident, a meeting was scheduled for Themba to meet with a dentist on June 5.
