It is a truism that patients must consent to treatment. However, consent is a complicated process, and this module will take you through it with a question and answer approach. You may want to run through the module twice, and see how well you remember the answers from the first time..
As in the picture above, there are many types of consent. Let's see if you already have a rough idea of what they mean…
Express or Implied?
What is meant by Express consent?
The patient expresses their agreement to undergo a dental procedure by saying so, or in writing.
All “consents” are either express or implied. For dental procedures, it is always best to get express consent in writing – there is no permanent record of verbally expressed consent, and certainly no record of implied consent.
When is it OK to get Implied Consent?
If a patient lies in the chair and opens their mouth, this is believed to be implied consent for the dentist to examine (not treat) the teeth.
It is the experience of many dentists that putting fingers and instruments into the mouth without asking, because the mouth is open, can be distressing to a small number of patients. The mouth is a “private” place, and some patients simply do not like having it gone into, even though they know the dentist has to. Asking permission, and receiving verbal (express) consent, is polite and shows sensitivity.
If all patients are simply asked “OK if I examine your teeth now?” (even if their mouth is open), then this will help those that are sensitive about it.
Some cultural groups may not want anything in their mouth at certain times for religious reasons, and further this may be unclear due to language difficulties. An open mouth may be an invitation to look, but not to enter.
