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.

DESIGN

Postal questionnaire.

SETTING

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

SUBJECT AND 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.

OUTCOME

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.