A survey of the consent practices of specialist orthodontic practitioners in the North-West of England.
OBJECTIVE
To use a questionnaire to obtain information on the consent practices of specialist orthodontic practitioners in the North-West of England and highlight any areas for improvement.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire.


METHODS
This survey was conducted among specialist practitioners in 2005-2006.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 84 specialist practitioners on the specialist register in the North-West of England. This consisted of six sections with a mixture of yes/no responses and a section that determined for which subjects consent was obtained and how.


RESULTS
Responses were received from 58 (69%) practitioners. Ten were discounted.


RESULTS
Forty-five (94%) of the 48 practitioners who responded routinely obtained consent from patients, and 27 (60%) used a consent form. Of these 27, 16 (59%) forms were based on a recommended design from an organization such as the British Orthodontic Society. Twenty-three (85%) practitioners gave the form to the patient/parent to read themselves, and 24 (89%) got the consent form signed by the patient/parent. Eighteen (67%) forms were countersigned by the orthodontist or an assigned member of staff. Seventeen (63%) practitioners gave the patient a photocopy. Of the 45 respondents who did obtain consent from their patients, seven (16%) practitioners assigned the consent process to a member of staff. Twenty-eight (62%) respondents would allow a patient under 16 to consent to treatment, with the youngest age being 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Forty-five (94%) specialist practitioners who responded did routinely obtain consent from patients for treatment, but 18 (40%) did not use a consent form. The subjects discussed with the patient varied. Areas for improvement are highlighted.
Chappell
Danielle
D
Westcliffe Dental Practice, Blackpool, UK.
Taylor
Christine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D032962:Consent Forms; D003792:Dental Records; D003797:Dental Staff; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009970:Orthodontics; D033282:Parental Consent; D032024:Personnel Delegation; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires