Ethics & Law · single question
A 12-year-old patient needs dental treatment. From which of the following would you NOT accept consent for treatment?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The 12-year-old patient
- A. A 12-year-old is a minor and legally CANNOT provide informed consent for dental treatment. While minors can provide assent (agreement to cooperate), legal consent must come from a parent or legal guardian. The 12-year-old patient cannot consent for themselves.
- B. A grandparent can provide consent if they have legal guardianship or in loco parentis authority for the child.
- C. A parent (mother) is a legal guardian and can provide valid consent for a minor.
- D. An 18-year-old sibling is a legal adult who may have legal guardianship; an adult sibling with documented guardianship can consent.