The role of competence and capacity in relation to consent for treatment in adult patients.

Obtaining informed consent for dental and medical treatment is a fundamental ethical and legal responsibility for all clinicians. It is an opportunity for patients to have healthcare that is based on their informed choice. The assessment of a patient's competence is an essential part of the consent process and clinicians need to be aware that patients can be misunderstood and wrongly deemed incompetent. This paper aims to aid the clinician to better understand the concept of patient competency and capacity in relation to obtaining valid consent.