Tuesday, Mar 7, 2017
New language required in anesthesia informed consent form — updated for CDA members
Reprinted with permission from California Dental Association
Under AB 2235, the pediatric anesthesia bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last September, dentists are required to obtain written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian of a minor patient prior to administration of general anesthesia or conscious sedation.
As part of this requirement, the written informed consent form must contain new, specific language as follows:
“The administration and monitoring of general anesthesia may vary depending on the type of procedure, the type of practitioner, the age and health of the patient, and the setting in which anesthesia is provided. Risks may vary with each specific situation. You are encouraged to explore all the options available for your child’s anesthesia for his or her dental treatment, and consult with your dentist or pediatrician as needed.”
As covered in the September CDA Update, AB 2235 was introduced in response to a tragic incident involving the use of general anesthesia for a pediatric dental patient. Following in-depth discussions with the author, the patient's family and other stakeholders, many amendments were made to the original bill language, with CDA supporting the bill ultimately signed by Gov. Brown.
In addition to the new specificity required in the written informed consent for minor patients, the law required additional data collection around anesthesia-related adverse events and the dental board’s review of current state policies on the use of anesthesia for minors, with recommendations due to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2017. The Legislature is reviewing these recommendations and CDA expects to see additional legislation this year that will affect the administration of sedation and anesthesia for pediatric patients.
CDA offers updated informed consent form
CDA has updated its informed consent form to include the new required verbiage. The form is available in nine languages.
CDA members can access “Guidelines for Informed Consent” at cda.org/resources. TDIC policyholders may also access the form at www.tdicinsurance.com.
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