law that requires dentists to inform patients about risks??

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#1 Post by **xyz2008** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:37 pm

Is there a federal or state law that requires the dentists/doctors to inform patients about possible risks involoved prior to the treatment?

#2 Post by **jennielee81** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:23 pm

I remember sigining a waver with my kid's treatment saying stuff like their face could change, they could lose a tooth, etc.

I probably signed this same thing for myself, but I don't remember.

#3 Post by **xyz2008** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:39 pm

I never signed anything like that. If the orthodontist has disclosed all those possible risks to me, I would never have gone through the orthodontic treatment.

#4 Post by **loulou123** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:47 am

Im in the uk, so laws may be different, but i think they are suposed to tell you off any risks.

I had my pre op for my jaw surgery last week and had to sign a consent form of about a million risks and things that could go wrong! but they do this just to cover themselves, just in the rare case that something does go wrong.

I no when ive had things done at the dentists that ive had to have all the risks explained before having treatment.

#5 Post by **4113n** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:01 am

there was a video on youtube about how she had trouble breathing and blamed it on braces, the girl also idiotically only realized it was the braces after few months in. well shes trying to warn people like it happens 1 in 2 people but its obviously 1 in a million thing.

and nope dident sign anything

#6 Post by **lilblackdress** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 7:29 am

I don't know if it's required by US or individual state law but it is a good practice to make sure that patients understand the risks and possible complications that can arise from any sort of treatment. If a patient signs a form stating that they have a level of understanding of things that can go wrong, this puts the ortho's office in a better position to defend themselves in case they're sued by a patient.

I did have to sign a waiver that stated that I understand some of the risks and complications associated with having braces. The waiver also stated that there are things that patients can do to make their treatment as positive as possible, and if a patient is having problems, then they need to be brought to the ortho's attention ASAP, so that it can be addressed.

#7 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:23 am

I had a similar experience to lilblackdress. I had to sign papers outlining the possible things that could go wrong during and after treatment, and I had to sign an agreement that said if I didn't do what they told me to do it could increase my treatment time. I don't know if this was required by any law.

#8 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:53 am

I signed the same thing as far as complications and potential risks.

#9 Post by **xyz2008** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:48 pm

yes, I read the small print. All the small print were about finance stuff. It was at the 2nd ortho's office when I was required to sign the disclaimer that I realized the first ortho did not disclose any risks involved to me. I don't remember signing any document like that.

#10 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:46 pm

That is odd because ANY doctor or dentist office has me sign a waiver for ANY treatment provided.

Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:33 pm

I don't know if my mom signed anything like that. Like a (then) 12 year old even pays attention to what my mom signs.

- mariah