Consent

Question 2

Which standard refers to consent

Answer 2

Standard 3 of the GDC refers to consent – valid consent should be obtained before starting tx and this means explaining all relevant options and possible costs. Patients should understand the decisions they are asked to make and make sure that the patients consent remains valid at each stage of the tx

Question 3

What is the criteria that should be met for consent to be deemed valid

Answer 3

• Specific to the proposed dental treatment only
• Was obtained recently enough
• Remains current (patient still agrees) – where there has been a significant interval between the patient agreeing to a treatment option and its start, consent should be renewed

Question 4

For consent to be deemed legal, what crieria must be met

Answer 4

• Ability – the patient has the ability to make an informed decision
• Informed – the patient has enough information to make a decision
• Voluntary – the patient has made the decision - It should not be coerced nor manipulated

Question 5

For a patient to be able to consent, they must have capacity
What criteria must be met for a patient to be deemed to have capacity

Answer 5

• To act
• To make a reasoned decision
• To communicate a decision
• To understand a decision
• To retain memory of a decision

Question 6

What age must you be to have presumed capacity

Answer 6

16

Question 7

When obtaining valid consent, what should you inform the patient of

Answer 7

• Options for treatment, risks and potential benefits
• Why you think a particular treatment is necessary and appropriate for them
• Consequences, risks and benefits of the tx you propose
• Likely prognosis
• Recommended option
• Cost of proposed tx
• What might happen if the proposed tx is not carried out
• Whether the tx is guaranteed, how long it is guaranteed for and any exclusions that apply

Question 8

When should you have written consent

Answer 8

Oral and written consent are equally lawful, should always have written consent or sedation and GA