title: The contents of dental implant patient information leaflets available within the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient information leaflets are designed to provide easy to follow information summaries and first point of contact information about treatment options. This survey reviewed the content of dental implant patient information leaflets, produced by implant companies and available within the UK in 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dental implant companies in the UK were asked to provide samples of their patient information leaflets. The information within the leaflets was then summarised, including the quantity and the types of images used and whether the source of the information was given. Quantitative data was obtained on the amount of information provided, size of images and number of references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 71% was obtained and 23 leaflets were studied. Great variation was found between the leaflets, with the word counts ranging from 88 to 5,434, and 44 different topics were identified. The majority of the images used were decorative, and none of the leaflets gave any reference to the sources of their information. Implant treatment was generally described in a positive way, with an emphasis on describing the treatment and the advantages. Much less information was given about the potential disadvantages and risks of complications or failure, including the relevance of periodontal disease or smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implant patient information leaflets provided by dental implant companies should not be solely relied upon to provide patients with all the information they need to give informed consent to treatment.
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puryer
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D008488:Medical Illustration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants