title: Informed consent or refusal.
abstract: Practicing dentists need a good understanding of consent issues. Dentists are required to disclose all material facts to a patient. A properly informed patient can then make intelligent decision regarding his or her care. This article describes the legal requirements of informed consent, both express and implied, and the exceptions to it. The article also discusses informed refusal and its effect care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Valley Medical Center, Fresno 93702, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Surabian
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D003729:Dental Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017007:Duty to Warn; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007603:Jurisprudence; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*