Problems between the theory and practice of informed consent in Dentistry in South America

Problems between the theory and practice of informed consent in Dentistry in South America
Investigation Article
Paola Luciani Reynoso, Aldo Calzolari
Vital Dentistry, December 2021
Summary
Introduction
Ethical and legal aspects play a preponderant role in the dentist-patient relationship.
Aim
Analyze the relevant criteria necessary for informed consent in dentistry and evaluate its incorporation into models in use by professionals.
Methods
81 theoretical documents and informed consent models from South American countries were analyzed, extracted from the Internet, in a selection for convenience. The theoretical data were contrasted with the models applied in professional practice. After cleaning the 81 materials found to eliminate theoretical documents with very similar texts, 17 theoretical documents and 12 models of informed consent remained.
Results
The 17 documents coincide in pointing to 10 criteria as the most relevant. On the contrary, none of the 12 models contemplate these 10 criteria. Seven of the informed consent models contained 6 or fewer relevant criteria, while some only contemplated 4, those referring to basic patient identification data, treatment, and understanding of what they were signing.
Conclusion
There is a lack of relationship between the relevant theoretical criteria accepted as important for informed consent in Dentistry and the models in use by professionals.