Informed consent in dentistry: the impact of "Who pays the bills?"

This paper analyzes the concept of informed consent in dentistry from a bioethical and philosophical perspective. It is my contention that informed consent, as presently utilized in daily dental practice, might be illusory at best. After analysis of the concept in general to derive a philosophical underpinning, this basis is applied to alternate delivery systems including Medicaid, Capitation Programs, and the "overbilling" scenario. Then an approach that is respectful of the patient's autonomy and that can achieve a truly meaningful informed consent is suggested.