To be asked for their consent to treatment before it starts.
You must:
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Obtain valid consent before starting treatment, explaining all the relevant options
and the possible costs.
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Make sure that patients (or their representatives) understand the decisions they
are being asked to make.
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Make sure that the patient’s consent remains valid at each stage of investigation
or treatment.
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You must obtain valid consent before starting treatment, explaining all the relevant
options and the possible costs.
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You must make sure you have valid consent before starting any treatment or investigation.
This applies whether you are the first member of your team to see the patient or
whether you are involved after other team members have already seen them. Do not
assume that someone else has obtained the patient’s consent.
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You should document the discussions you have with patients in the process of gaining
consent. Although a signature on a form is important in verifying that a patient
has given consent, it is the discussions that take place with the patient that determine
whether the consent is valid.
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You should find out what your patients want to know as well as what you think they
need to know. Things that patients might want to know include:
- options for treatment, the risks and the potential benefits;
- why you think a particular treatment is necessary and appropriate for them;
- the consequences, risks and benefits of the treatment you propose;
- the likely prognosis;
- your recommended option;
- the cost of the proposed treatment;
- what might happen if the proposed treatment is not carried out; and
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whether the treatment is guaranteed, how long it is guaranteed for and any exclusions
that apply.
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You must check and document that patients have understood the information you have
given.
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You must obtain written consent where treatment involves conscious sedation or general
anaesthetic.
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Patients can withdraw their consent at any time, refuse treatment or ask for it
to be stopped after it has started. You must acknowledge their right to do this
and follow their wishes. You should explain the consequences or risks of not continuing
the treatment and ensure that the patient knows that they are responsible for any
future problems which arise as a result of not completing the treatment. You must
record all this in the patient’s notes.
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You must make sure that patients (or their representatives) understand the decisions
they are being asked to make.
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You must provide patients with sufficient information and give them a reasonable
amount of time to consider that information in order to make a decision.
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You must tailor the way you obtain consent to each patient’s needs. You should help
them to make informed decisions about their care by giving them information in a
format they can easily understand.
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When obtaining consent, you should encourage patients who have communication difficulties
to have a friend, relative or carer with them to help them ask questions or understand
your answers.
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You must always consider whether patients are able to make decisions about their
care themselves, and avoid making assumptions about a patient’s ability to give
consent. This is a complex area and you should refer to the appropriate legislation.
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You must check and document that patients have understood the information you have
given them.
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You must make sure that the patient’s consent remains valid at each stage of investigation
or treatment.
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Giving and obtaining consent is a process, not a one-off event. It should be part
of on-going communication between patients and all members of the dental team involved
in their care. You should keep patients informed about the progress of their care.
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When carrying out an on-going course of treatment, you must make sure you have specific
consent for what you are going to do during that appointment.
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You must tailor the way you confirm ongoing consent to each patient’s needs and
check that patients have understood the information you have given them.
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You must document the discussions you have with patients in the process of conrming
their ongoing consent.
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If you think that you need to change a patient’s agreed treatment or the estimated
cost, you must obtain your patient’s consent to the changes and document that you
have done so.
