A dental practitioner may decline to provide treatment under general dental services to a patient whom he or she has not accepted for care and treatment under capitation or continuing care arrangement or has de-registered from such an arrangement in accordance with the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1996. Under the National Health Service (Dental Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, a dental practitioner providing general dental services may also decline to begin treatment or to continue with it, until the patient has paid any charge due to the practitioner.