American Dental Association Consent Forms – Everyone should have the ability to make educated decisions about their healthcare. The medical procedures can be sensitive, so patients must be able decide according to the known risks of their body, how it will be treated. In order to ensure that medical professionals are permitted to be able to treat their patients, they need to receive the so-called informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal condition in which patients are informed of his or her physical health and the recommended treatment by the physician in charge. Once this information is received the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form of treatment is given. Without the patient’s informed consent health care professional cannot provide treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients lack the capacity to comprehend their treatment options and the risks and benefits that come with each one. In other situations, patients may not be able communicate their choices to health care professionals. In such situations the patient is considered to lack the appropriate decision making capacity. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative will then be permitted to give informed consent in lieu of the patient.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions, such as anxiety or fear, for example could be classified as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly cannot make decisions on independently, and other people have to give consent for treatment instead.
Items in an American Dental Association Consent Forms
Certain elements are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition or diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the acting physician
The risks and the benefits associated with this treatment
There are alternative treatments available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come of refusing treatment at all
Not only must these items be documented, but they must also be discussed with the patient. So, he will be able to comprehend the particulars of the case and can get direct answers to any questions that arise.
Download American Dental Association Consent Forms
Gallery of American Dental Association Consent Forms
