2018, issue 12

Assessing capacity to consent in older patients

Adele Cunningham
Consent is a vital part of the treatment process, especially for older patients.

The MCA asks if the individual has the capacity to make a decision at a specific time, not if they have the ability to make decisions generally. Capacity must be re-assessed at each visit…

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This page was correct at publication on 03/12/2018. 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.

Adele Cunningham
Dento-legal adviser

Adele Cunningham BDS MFDS DSCD StR in special care dentistry, south Wales, Cardiff and Vale UHB Adele qualified from Queen's University, Belfast, in 2011. She discovered a passion for special care dentistry during dental core trainee roles in Northern Ireland, Dundee and Cardiff. She started specialist training in special care dentistry in 2016 in south Wales. She is the current trainee representative for the British Society of Gerodontology and has obtained a diploma in special care dentistry with Royal College Surgeons England.

Laura Andrews

BDS, MFDS, MSc, PgCert StR special care dentistry, south Wales, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Laura graduated with a BDS from Queen's University, Belfast in 2010. She completed vocational training and senior house officer posts in oral surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, paediatrics and orthodontics in Northern Ireland and London. Following this Laura worked as special care dental officer in the Isle of Man for over three years before starting specialist training in special care dentistry in April 2018 in south Wales.