A survey of the consent practices of specialist orthodontic practitioners in the North-West of England

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Consent
• orthodontics
• specialist orthodontic practitioner

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the specialist practitioners who completed and returned the questionnaire. This was especially appreciated as it was at the time of the new contract negotiations.