Explain the meaning and importance of informed consent.

Explanation should include communicating to the patient the importance of the procedure to be performed, the risks involved, the expected outcome, other treatment options, and the risks of no treatment. Explanation must also include that informed consent must be obtained by the dentist at all times. 

Process/Skill Questions

• Why is it necessary to give patients copies of consent forms?
• Why is informed consent not required for a routine procedure?
• How could a dentist obtain informed consent from a patient who is not fluent in English?