Informed Consent in Dentistry

Abstract

A review of literature regarding informed consent in dentistry reveals a paucity of information and minimal scholarship devoted to this subject. But this begs the question about informed consent somehow being different for dentistry than for medicine or other healthcare delivery. My account draws distinctions where appropriate but is rooted in the premise that informed consent is an ethical construct applicable to vulnerable people as patients independent of what type of treatment or body part being considered. This paper highlights the crucial importance of the process of informed consent and refusal in dentistry, underscoring its important place in oral healthcare. This paper will not address the unique circumstances involving consent in those without capacity or focus on informed consent in the research setting; our focus will be on those patients with full decisionmaking capacity in the clinical setting. I will emphasize the importance of disclosure of treatment options and highlight the benefits of shared-decision-making in the informed consent process.

Estimation of x-ray radiation related cancers in US dental offices: Is it worth the risk?

“…14 Dental patients are required to read and sign informed consent forms before any dental treatment can be performed. 16 For a consent to be valid, the following conditions apply: "(1) patient competence (legal ability and capacity to understand and decide), (2) disclosure of material information (in this case by the dentist), (3) understanding (by the patient), (4) voluntariness (with respect to the patient), and ( 5) consent (patient authorization to proceed)." (page 78) 16 A number of studies have reported that dental informed consent forms fail to comply with those aims.…”

“…16 For a consent to be valid, the following conditions apply: "(1) patient competence (legal ability and capacity to understand and decide), (2) disclosure of material information (in this case by the dentist), (3) understanding (by the patient), (4) voluntariness (with respect to the patient), and ( 5) consent (patient authorization to proceed)." (page 78) 16 A number of studies have reported that dental informed consent forms fail to comply with those aims. 17,18 Geist reported that some dental x-ray informed consent forms incorrectly stated that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended "full-mouth series every 3 to 5 years and bitewings every 1 to 2 years."…”

Informed Consent in the Health Care System: An Overview from a Dental Perspective in Saudi Arabia

“…In dentistry, obtaining informed consent from patients was introduced in the mid-1980s, and since then, this process shifted from a paternalistic-focused model to a patient autonomy-focused model [3]. Nowadays, informed consent plays an integral part in routine dental practice, which allows patients to raise concerns at any point about their treatment options [4].…”

Shared decision‐making (SDM) in dentistry: A concise narrative review

“…The informed consent begins with providing high quality information and employing decision‐making aids as needed, and it takes shape in three different forms : (1) Implied consent which does not need to be documented in the clinical record because it is based on the patient's passive cooperation without discussion or formal consent. However, enough information needs to be provided by the health care provider to the patient.…”