paeds consent

Question 1

Who can consent to a child’s treatment?

Answer 1

1. Mum
2. Dad if they are married to the Mum or their name is on the birth certificate.
3. Legally appointed guardian.
4. Someone with a residence order.
5. A local authority designated to care for the child.
6. Someone with an emergency protection order for the child.

Question 2

In what situations would it be acceptable to proceed with treatment on a child without relevant consent?

Answer 2

Where delaying treatment would place the patient at significant risk.

(e.g: patient left in pain, medically compromised / sepsis)

Question 3

What to do if someone who can’t give consent brings a child?

Answer 3

Make every attempt to contact the people on the PR form (usually mum) to gain consent.

If not and the tx isn’t emergency, it must be postponed until the relevant person can be in attendance.

Question 4

Risks to discuss when filling out XLA form.

Answer 4

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Potential Infection
• Damage to the adjacent teeth, especially if they are heavily restored.

Site-specific risks may also include IDN injury causing temporary/permanent altered sensation (lip, cheek, tongue, teeth or sense of taste) but this is rare!

Question 5

Benefits of XLA

Answer 5

1. Pain relief
2. Removal of infection source?
3. Making room for orthodontia if the dentition is overcrowded.
4. Lowers the risk for future problems.