Dental Cleaning Consent Form – Everyone should have the ability to make informed decisions about their health. Medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able decide the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. So, before medical professionals are permitted to operate on patients, they must receive the process of informed consent.
Informed consent is a legal requirement under which a patient is given a complete and accurate description of the condition of their body and the treatment suggested by the acting physician. After receiving this information the patient is required to provide the physician with consent to treat prior to any form or treatment can be offered. Without the patient’s informed consent, a health care provider is not permitted to offer treatments.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain instances patients don’t have the ability to comprehend their options regarding treatment, and the benefits and risks associated with each. In other cases patients might not be able to convey their preferences to health care professionals. When this occurs the patient is considered not to possess the proper decision making capacity. An individual from the family or court appointed representative can take over informed consent.
Patients who are heavily influenced by their emotions – such as anxiety or fear, as an example – may be determined as not having the capacity to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on independently, and other people are required to obtain consent instead.
Items in an Dental Cleaning Consent Form
Certain elements are universally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The treatment recommended by the acting physician
The benefits and risks associated with this procedure
Alternative treatments that are available, along with their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits associated with not accepting any treatment whatsoever
These items must not only be detailed in documentation, but they must also have a discussion with the patient. This way, he or can fully comprehend what is happening and can get direct answers to any queries that might arise.