About this course
It is a truism that patients must consent to treatment. However, consent is a complicated process, and this Consent course will take you through it, highlighting the legal and ethical basis for consent to examination and treatment.
This course is a GDC Recommended CPD Topic (Legal & Ethical Issues).
This course is relevant to the whole dental team.
CPD Time: 90 minutes (1.5 CE Credits)
Customer feedback on this course
- Concise but informative and comprehensive with clear and plain language.
- It was a very interesting course and very well done. It gives you very clear information about the consent process.
- Great coverage of a complex topic.
- Very good online delivery, useful and relevant knowledge.
- Provides all the salient information related to this topic.
Assessment: 12 MCQs. Pass mark 75%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a GDC-recognised Enhanced CPD Certificate.
Access: You will have access for 12 months, and can take the course as often as you wish in this period.
Aim
The aim of the learning and teaching materials in this course is to allow learners to develop their professional knowledge and understanding in Consent as it applies to healthcare, in line with their identified personal learning requirements.
Course objectives
• To present a comprehensive overview of the ethical and legal significance of consent.
• To show how the Mental Capacity Act applies in practice.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will
• be able to identify what is required for valid consent.
• understand and know how to apply the Mental Capacity Act.
• understand the ethical basis of consent.
• recognise when consent may not be valid.
• understand the relationship between consent and negligence.
• through achieving these outcomes, provide an improved level of service to their patients.
GDC Development Outcomes
A B D
Learning content:
Express and Implied Consent | Informed Consent | Valid Consent, Specific and Restricted Consent | Obtaining and Giving Consent | Long Term Consequences of Treatment | The Ethical Basis of Consent | Elements of Valid Consent | Legal Aspects of Consent | Consent and The Mental Capacity Act | Consent: The CQC Inspection | Course Completion
View full course description
Consent in Dentistry
Course Description
Express and Implied Consent
This section covers the two main types of consent in dentistry: express consent, where a patient explicitly agrees verbally or in writing, and implied consent, where consent is inferred from a patient's actions. The importance of obtaining and documenting express consent is emphasised.
Informed Consent
Informed consent occurs when patients fully understand the proposed treatment. This section discusses the need to explain treatment risks, benefits, and alternatives to ensure patients can make an informed decision, as well as the importance of maintaining accurate records.
Valid Consent, Specific and Restricted Consent
This section outlines the criteria for valid consent, including the patient's understanding, competency, and willingness to proceed. It also covers specific and restricted consent, ensuring that consent is provided for each procedure and addressing when patients only agree to part of a treatment plan.
Obtaining and Giving Consent
The responsibility for obtaining consent typically falls on the treating dentist. This section highlights the legal and professional guidelines for obtaining consent, including considerations for children and patients lacking mental capacity.
Long Term Consequences of Treatment
Patients must be informed of the potential long-term outcomes and future maintenance required after treatment. This section stresses the importance of discussing treatment durability and failure to ensure patients understand the broader implications.
The Ethical Basis of Consent
Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence underpin the consent process. This section looks at these principles and their application in patient care, ensuring the patient’s right to make informed decisions is respected.
Elements of Valid Consent
Valid consent involves four key elements: competence, information, voluntariness, and a decision. This section examines how to assess patient competency and ensure they are fully informed and able to make voluntary decisions about their treatment.
Legal Aspects of Consent
The legal framework around consent includes protections against battery (non-consensual treatment) and negligence (failure to inform patients of risks). This section explains these legal principles and how they apply in dental practice.
Consent and The Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act protects individuals who may lack the capacity to make decisions. This section outlines how to assess capacity and make decisions in a patient’s best interests when they are unable to give informed consent.
Consent: The CQC Inspection
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects practices to ensure consent procedures comply with regulations. This section covers what inspectors look for, including how consent is obtained, documented, and maintained throughout treatment.
Course Completion
Participants will complete a feedback survey and take a multiple-choice exam. Upon passing, they will receive a GDC-compliant CPD certificate, confirming their knowledge of consent in dental practice.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances. The format complies with GDC guidance on PDP structure.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Patient consent |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| Consent is an important part of medical/dental ethics and human rights law. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| ABD |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Perform tasks that are required for my daily role/duties. |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Take the Verified Learning course on Consent |
| When will I complete the activity? |