Screening the use of informed consent forms prior to procedures involving operative dentistry: ethical aspects

Abstract

Background. The present study aimed to screen the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward the use of informed consent forms prior to procedures involving operative dentistry.Methods. A research tool containing questions (questionnaire) regarding the use of informed consent forms was developed. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions structured to screen the current practice in operative dentistry towards the use of informed consent forms.Results. The questionnaires were distributed among 731 dentists, of which 179 returned them with answers. Sixty-seven dentists reported not using informed consent forms. The main reasons for not using informed consent forms were: having a complete dental record signed by the patient (67.2%) and having a good relation with patients (43.6%). The dentists who reported using informed consent forms revealed that they obtained them from other dentists and made their own modifications (35.9%). Few dentists revealed contacting lawyers (1.7%) and experts in legal dentistry (0.9%) for the development of their informed consent forms.Conclusion. A high number of dentists working in the field of operative dentistry behave according to the ethical standards in the clinical practice, becoming unprotected against ethical and legal actions.

Harmonização orofacial: análise do conhecimento dos Cirurgiões-Dentistas sobre os riscos clínicos e aspectos legais e éticos na prática da rinomodelação e bichectomia

“…Dessa forma, o cirurgião-dentista tem por obrigação elaborar um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE) explicitando as vantagens, desvantagens, riscos, benefícios e limitações do caso clínico que será tratado, para que, por meio de tal documento, o paciente possa dirimir suas dúvidas e tomar conhecimento de possíveis complicações que possam acontecer, bem como as ações que serão realizadas caso as intercorrências sejam instaladas. O TCLE, além de ser um dos documentos que fazem parte do prontuário odontológico que asseguram a compreensão e anuência do paciente ao tratamento proposto que será executado (Brasil, Art 9º, inciso X;Art 11, inciso X;Art 17 -CEO, 2012), sendo que incorre em falta ética a sua não elaboração, fazendo com que os profissionais exponham-se a conflitos éticos e cíveis (Rodrigues, et al, 2017). Além disso, uma análise realizada por Rayess, et al (2018) mostrou que o maior índice de litígios associados à preenchedores faciais e cegueira se deu devido à aplicação do TCLE e a comunicação entre o profissional e paciente não terem sido efetivas em esclarecer sobre potenciais complicações (Rayess, et al, 2018).…”

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

“…In particular, if the final clinical outcomes differ from the patient’s expectations because it was not clear from the beginning, patients may request legal help to address their complaints [15-17]. A study in Brazil surveyed 179 dentists working in operative dentistry providing aesthetic restorations showed that about 3% of the study population faced legal issues [18]. The 3% complaints were related to dentists practicing while not being completely aware of dental legal matters [18].…”

“…A study in Brazil surveyed 179 dentists working in operative dentistry providing aesthetic restorations showed that about 3% of the study population faced legal issues [18]. The 3% complaints were related to dentists practicing while not being completely aware of dental legal matters [18]. These legal concerns in operative dentistry could be avoided if routine ethical practice including informed consent were obtained [18].…”

“…The 3% complaints were related to dentists practicing while not being completely aware of dental legal matters [18]. These legal concerns in operative dentistry could be avoided if routine ethical practice including informed consent were obtained [18].…”

A importância da bioética na prática odontológica: considerações atuais da literatura

“…A justiça está associada, preferencialmente, com as relações entre grupos sociais, preocupando-se com a equidade na distribuição de bens e recursos considerados comuns, numa tentativa de igualar as oportunidades de acesso a esses bens 14 . O princípio de justiça, do ponto de vista filosófico, é explicado com o uso de vários termos; todos eles interpretam a justiça como um modo justo, apropriado e equitativo de tratar as pessoas em razão de alguma coisa que é merecida ou devida a elas 15 .…”