Performance Expectations

The dental hygienist must… 

1. Obtain informed consent from the patient or from the appropriate individual in accordance with applicable legislation. 
2. Support informed choice by communicating relevant information openly, truthfully, and in recognition of the patient’s needs, values, and goals.  
3. Ensure the patient: 
1. Is informed of the right to withdraw consent at any time; 
2. Is free of undue influence, duress, or coercion in making the consent decision; 
3. Receives a proper explanation that includes but is not limited to: 
1. Recommended procedures or strategies (including assessments or interventions); 
2. Exact nature and anticipated benefits of the proposed procedures or strategies; 
3. Common risks, significant risks, side effects, and costs; 
4. Diagnosis and prognosis, when determined; 
5. Reasonable alternative procedures or strategies available, and the associated common risks and significant risks; and 
6. Consequences of refusing recommendations. 
4. Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the information provided.  
4. Respect the patient’s right to:  
1. Make informed choices, consult, and/or request additional information; 
2. Refuse proposed services; and/or 
3. Withdraw previously provided consent at any time during dental hygiene services. 
5. Seek new informed consent for each specific procedure or strategy, and in any of the following scenarios:  
1. The patient’s condition has changed;  
2. The evidence supporting the procedure or strategy has changed;  
3. The patient has withdrawn consent; or 
4. The patient has refused the involvement of particular individuals in their care. 
6. Document informed consent or refusal from the patient. If consent is verbal, then a notation must be made to that effect in the patient record.  
7. When conducting dental hygiene research, obtain approval from the appropriate research ethics authority and informed consent from the research participant. 

Patient Expectations

The patient can expect that they will be informed of the options, risks, costs, and benefits of proposed services, asked to provide their consent, and that the dental hygienist will respect their right to question, refuse options, and/or withdraw from services at any time.