Dental Patient Consent Form – Everyone should be able to make informed choices about their medical care. Medical treatments can be quite demanding, and therefore patients should be able to ultimately determine the risks that are known to be present of their body, how it will be treated. Thus, before medical personnel can administer treatments to patients, they must obtain what is known as informed consent.
Informed consent , a requirement in law is the condition that requires that a patient be given a complete and accurate description of his or her physical condition and the treatment suggested by the physician in charge. Once this information is received patients must sign a consent form with the doctor to treat prior to any form or treatment can be given. Without informed consent from the patient any health professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In certain situations patients lack the knowledge to fully comprehend the options for treatment and the risks/benefits associated with each. In some instances, patients may not be able communicate their decision to health professionals. Under these circumstances patients are said not to possess the proper capacity for decision-making. If a family member is not present, or court-appointed representative, can perform informed consent instead.
Patients who are influenced by their emotions, like anxiety or fear, as an example could be classified as not able to make decisions. Those who are unconscious clearly can’t make decisions on alone, and external parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Dental Patient Consent Form
There are certain elements that are generally included in informed consent forms:
The patient’s medical condition/diagnosis
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician who is acting
The risks and benefits that come with this treatment
Alternative treatments that are available, as well as their risks and benefits
The benefits and risks associated with not accepting any treatment at all
Not only must these items be recorded in the patient’s medical records But they also need to be discussed with the patient. This way, he or will be able to comprehend all the details of the scenario and will be able to get immediate answers to any concerns that might be arising.
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