Patient's informed consent prior to implant-prosthetic treatment: a retrospective analysis of expert opinions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective analysis of expert opinions was to optimize the level of patient information prior to implant-prosthetic treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-eight expert opinion reports on implant treatment cases compiled between 1996 and August 2001 were analyzed.


RESULTS
Seventy-five percent of all cases subjected to expert opinion reports revealed generally inadequate patient information. Significant associations were found between diagnostic mistakes and a lack of or inadequate information about complications that occurred (P = .04). Inadequate prosthetic or periodontal pretreatment of the patient prior to implant treatment was associated with a lack of information concerning implant and periodontal maintenance (P = .023) as well as insufficient oral hygiene status (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to a general lack of patient information, a lack of information about possible complications and inadequate information about treatment risks, treatment costs, and treatment alternatives were also found.


CONCLUSIONS
Optimization of pretreatment information for patients, as well as improvement of communication with patients throughout the whole treatment and maintenance period, seem to be necessary.
Strietzel
Frank Peter
FP
Department of Oral Surgery and Dental Radiology, School of Dentistry, Charité, Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany. frank.strietzel@charite.de
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D015921:Dental Implants