What a nerve! Outrage as dentist bans obese patients

A DENTAL surgery has banned obese patients weighing more than 20 stone over fears their chairs cannot cope with the weight.

Furious customers accused Hove Family Dental in East Sussex of fat-shaming after it emailed patients it would not be treating anyone over 127kg due to worries they may ‘exceed equipment capabilities’.

Practice manager Tracey Stephens, 55, said the chairs, each costing about £20,000, have already broken twice under the weight of its heaviest customers.

She added on some occasions, staff have to help overweight patients in and out of the chair which is a ‘health and safety issue’.

But one angry customer said the move ‘body shames’ overweight people who struggle to keep their weight down.

‘This is fatist to people who can’t keep their weight down. It body shames people who may have underlying health conditions.’

In line with Dental Defence Union guidance, the surgery said it would make sure those affected would have access to ‘a reasonable alternative’ for their dental care.