A dentist may dismiss a patient from care in all the following situations EXCEPT:

A dentist may legally dismiss a patient for harassment, repeated no-shows, ethical disagreements, or non-payment of fees — but dismissal must ALWAYS be done properly to avoid patient abandonment. Dismissal for non-payment requires: proper written notice (typically 30-day certified letter), provision for emergency treatment during the notice period, and assistance in finding alternative care. If a dentist dismisses a patient mid-treatment without adequate notice or without ensuring continuity of care, this constitutes patient abandonment, which is illegal and unethical. The EXCEPTION is therefore sudden dismissal for non-payment without proper process — not dismissal for non-payment per se.