By law is an employee entitled to paid time off for doctor/dentist appointments?

No, there is no statutory right to time off for medical or dental appointments, except in relation to antenatal appointments. How an employer deals with such requests is at their discretion and governed by the express or implied terms of the contract of employment. The employee is not at work and, therefore, not entitled to be paid.

Many employees take time for appointments out of their annual leave entitlements or offer to make the time up at a later date to ensure no loss of wages. Some employers apply strict rules that appointments should be booked outside working hours. Employers should adopt a clear and consistent approach across their workforces.

A clear and well documented practice