VALUE OF INFORMED CONSENT IN AESTHETIC DENTAL PROCEDURES

Abstract

In the last decade there have been an exponential increase in both the supply and demand for non invasive aesthetic procedures involving the face and the lips to contrast age changes in the perioral area. We briefly report the main non invasive aesthetics treatments in which dentists are involved and the professional liability related to the issues of informed consent. To avoid deontological and judiciary consequences the informed consent has to be obtained by the patient before any clinical procedure and documented in medical record. Recently Italian law no. 219/2017 highlighted the principle of autonomy and self-determination of patient and maximizes an optimal relationship between patient and healthcare professionals through a shared decision making. Particularly, in aesthetic dentistry procedures, the clinical details must be discussed with the patient as well as the indications, potential side effects, complications, expected result and limitation of chosen treatment.