Informed consent and the cognitively impaired geriatric dental patient
Van, T.T.; Chiodo, L.K.; Paunovich, E.D.
Texas Dental Journal 126(7): 582-589
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-4284 PMID: 19753812 Document Number: 629410
Many geriatric patients will have cognitive impairment, sometimes temporary and other times progressive. Dentists are challenged to evaluate for the presence of cognitive impairment that can affect the consent process. This review gives an overview of types of cognitive impairments, clues to recognizing these conditions, how they affect the dental consent process, and what makes an effective informed consent. When there is doubt of a patient's capacity to consent, prudence calls for stopping dental treatment and referring the patient for a medical evaluation.