Improving the orthodontic consent process: Amending hospital policy and implementing change

Patient consent is a principal issue in healthcare. The well-publicised case between Montgomery versus Lanarkshire has highlighted the importance of consent to include a discussion of all relevant treatment risks. Within orthodontics, there are published guidelines from the profession's governing body as to the common risks associated with treatment. Within hospitals and practices, the consent process is usually determined by set policies, which may be devised by non-clinical teams. Clinicians are well positioned to critique these processes and their input into such policies may be beneficial. A two-cycle, multi-centre audit was completed to assess the consistency of consent forms in two orthodontic departments. The results from the first cycle initiated the implementation of changes to hospital policy, in order to produce a new procedure-specific consent form for orthodontic treatment. Results from the second cycle of the audit, together with clinician feedback, showed that the new forms allowed for a more streamlined approach to the consent process and ensures patients are fully informed of all aspects of their personal treatment.