Information and Consent in Dentistry

Consent is the essential expression of the patient's will, and thus, must be preceded by a procedure. The need for consent is based on ethical principles, legal regulations, codes of conduct and judicial doctrine. In order to be able to give valid consent, one must have the ability to make decisions. In any event if the patient is not able to do so, as in the case for minors or those with mental impairments, specific legal and medico-legal provisions must be made.