Dental Prophylaxis Consent Form – Every person should be able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. The medical procedures can be injurious, and patients must be able, in the end, to decide according to the known risks and the way their bodies will be treated. Thus, before medical professionals are allowed to operate on patients, they must be given the process of informed consent.
Informed consent constitutes a lawful condition where a patient is informed of his or her physical condition as well as the treatment that is recommended by the physician in charge. After receiving this information the patient has to offer the physician consent to treat before any form of care is delivered. Without the patient’s informed consent the health professional is not permitted to offer treatment.
Decision Making Capacity
In some cases patients may not have the capabilities to fully understand their treatment options and the risks/benefits associated with each. In other situations patients may not be able to explain their decisions to health workers. In these situations the patient is considered to lack the necessary capacity to make decisions. If a family member is not present, or court appointed representative could then be able to provide informed consent instead.
Patients that are strongly influenced by their emotions – anxiety or fear, for instance – may be determined as lacking the ability to make decisions. The ones who are asleep clearly are unable to make decisions on their own, and outside parties need to consent to treatment instead.
Items in an Dental Prophylaxis Consent Form
Certain elements are common to all consent forms:
The diagnosis or medical condition of the patient.
The recommended treatment is suggested by the physician in charge
The benefits and risks associated with this treatment
Alternative treatments are also available, as well as their benefits and risks
The risks and benefits that come with refusing treatment whatsoever
The items should not only be documented, but they must also been discussed by the patient. This way, he she will fully understand the specifics of the situation and get straight answers to any concerns that might have arisen.
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