Awareness of consent among Nigerian orthodontic patients; a study of perceptions and practices.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment is elective but not without risks. Prospective patients need to be fully informed of their treatment options and understand the associated risks and benefits.
Aim of the study: To assess the perception of Nigerian orthodontic patients regarding the consent and assent-giving process before orthodontic treatment.
Material and Methods: A total of 349 patients from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, who received orthodontic treatment between December 2023 and May 2024, participated in this study. A 21-item questionnaire was administered via Google Forms. The questionnaire contained demographic questions and items assessing knowledge, perception, and practice of consent in orthodontics. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 26, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages).
Results: Of the 349 participants, 99 (28.4%) were male, and 250 (71.6%) were female, with a mean age of 23.43 ± 10.49 years. Of the study population, 88% of female and 91.9% of male participants had heard of consent before treatment. A total of 93.1% of participants gave consent, with 78.5% of these being verbal. Pain (45.6%) was the most commonly explained complication, while infection (6.9%) was the least. In terms of satisfaction, 92% of participants were satisfied with the consent process.
Conclusion: Most Nigerian orthodontic patients are aware of the consent process and are generally satisfied with it. Orthodontists in Nigeria should prioritize obtaining written informed consent to ensure patient protection and avoid potential legal issues.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62838/ASMJ.2024.2.04