[Free and informed consent in dental practice]

The right to give or withhold free and informed consent to care is basic, but has been eroded. Lack of consent to treatment could result in a charge of the crime of battery. The parameters of free and informed consent include autonomy, veracity, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice. Consent may be implied, expressed or written; consent may be withdrawn, exceeded or limited. Informed consent is considered in detail and guidelines are suggested for the dentist. The problems of implantology are presented including the question of prepared consent forms for this treatment. Capacity to consent is described with particular reference to children, the aged and the mentally impaired.