2015, issue 2

Has the patient really consented?

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers
ByRupert Hoppenbrouwers
Published07 September 2015
A recent Supreme Court judgment has effectively introduced the principle of 'informed consent' to the law of negligence. Rupert Hoppenbrouwers assesses the implications for dental professionals.

A risk is 'material' if a reasonable person in the patient's position would be likely to attach significance to it.

This page was correct at publication on 07/09/2015. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers
Senior dento-legal adviser

Rupert Hoppenbrouwers (BDS LDSRCS) was head of the DDU until his retirement at the end of 2015. He is a former general dental practitioner and was director of the School of Dental Hygiene at University College Hospital, London, from 1980 to 1986. He has lectured and written widely on risk management and dento-legal matters, has previously chaired the UK Dental Law and Ethics Forum, and has a particular interest in complex ethical and legal issues affecting dental members

Has the patient really consented?