Cooling off period needed

Consent can be a tricky area for dental professionals to navigate. With many more people undergoing elective treatments for aesthetic purposes, it is important dental professionals go through the necessary procedure to obtain appropriate and valid consent before proceeding with any treatment. Patients must receive a clear explanation of the proposed treatment, the cost, and any risk and alternative treatments – and then be allowed a period of time in which to consider whether they wish to proceed. 

Some patients may wish to know very little about their treatment, while others will want their dental professional to go through every aspect, including all possible complications. Either way, dental professionals must ensure they give the patient all the appropriate information and enough time to make a decision.

Dento-legal adviser Susan N’Jie explains comments: ’A reasonable cooling-off period gives the patient a chance to reflect on their decision and seek advice. During this time, you may want to provide explanatory leaflets to support any discussion and to ensure the patient is as informed about their treatment as possible. This is particularly valuable when you’re proposing costly aesthetic treatments such as veneers or implants.