Informed consent in contemporary dental photography – ethics and law

The aim of this article is to conduct research on issues and common strategies to protect the privacy of patients when using dental photographs for educational and clinical purposes, and to prepare a specialized form of informed consent. Methods: 1. Documentary method; 2. Consultation with a legal expert; 3. Statistical method. Results: The results of the documentary and statistical survey are indicative of the need to implement the informed consent using dental photography in dentistry, to avoid bilateral ambivalent reactions. The informed consent form is consistent with the ethical and legal concepts of modern dentistry. Conclusion: The modern dental photography has a major role in the process of educating and qualifying dentists and the experts in dental medicine. The photographic documentation and its aspects, purposes and availability impose it as a modern method of comparing analysis when taking pictures of the patient before, during and after dental treatment. The obligation of dentists to present information for the rights of the patient when using dental photography is a major part of the modern medical treatment. The implementation and defence of the mentioned human rights, structured in the state constitution, depend mostly on the knowledge of the patients about dental photography and their DOI: 10.18044/Medinform.201742.531 Original Article MedInform I S S U E 1 , 2 0 1 7 532 MedInform own activity as participants in the process. The protection of this public interest is placed whit in the priorities of the professional organization in order to enforce its effective and guarantee dental care according to the best dental practice.