Practice management
Informed consent
Informed consent is a patient's agreement to treatment after the dentist has explained the risks, benefits and alternatives and the patient has the capacity to decide.
Informed consent is both a legal and an ethical idea. A review in PMC says informed consent depends on the patient having the capacity to make decisions, and that the patient should understand the relevant information and be able to weigh treatment options against personal values. Federal rules for research list items that must be conveyed, including reasonably foreseeable risks, expected benefits and alternative courses of treatment. Those research rules are not a dental practice standard. Dentists should follow Missouri law and the advice of an attorney on forms and documentation. A clear case presentation and good patient communication support the process.