Opinion abstract
British Dental Journal 203, 569 - 571 (2007)
Published online: 24 November 2007 | doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.1041
Subject Categories: Law and ethics | Patient management
Continuous consent and dignity in dentistry
- Analysis of official guidance on consent.
- Explanation of the concept of continuous consent.
- A suggestion of how to further safeguard patient dignity in dentistry.
Abstract
Despite the heavy emphasis on consent in the ethical code of the General Dental Council (GDC), it is often overlooked that communication difficulties between patient and dentist can cause problems in maintaining genuine consent during interventions. Inconsistencies in the GDC's Standards for dental professionals and Principles of patient consent guidelines are examined in this article, and it is concluded that more emphasis must be placed on continuous consent as an ongoing process essential to maintaining patients' dignity in dentistry.
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