What does 'implied consent' mean in dental practice?

Implied consent in dental practice refers to consent that is inferred from a patient’s actions rather than explicitly stated. When a patient seeks treatment and shows willingness to undergo procedures, such as sitting in the dental chair or opening their mouth for examination, these actions suggest agreement to the treatment that is about to be performed.

In the context of dental practice, this concept is particularly relevant during routine procedures where patients typically expect to receive certain kinds of care without needing to verbally express their consent each time. For example, if a dentist approaches a patient to perform a cleaning and the patient complies by allowing the procedure to start, this is considered as implied consent.

This understanding is crucial for dental professionals as it establishes a basis for engaging with patients while ensuring they fall within the ethical and legal requirements for consent. In contrast, other types of consent, such as formal agreements or explicit verbal consent, require clear communication and acknowledgment from the patient, while implied consent relies on the assumption that the patient consents through their actions.