title: Informed consent and the elderly dental patient.
abstract: The fastest growing segment of the population is currently comprised of those people 65 and older. The competency of these elderly individuals is often called into question when decisions about medical care are to be made. This article explores the concepts of a valid informed consent and provides an overview of competency assessment for the practitioner as it pertains to the geriatric dental patient.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Woodman
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Malz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016743:Mental Competency