Informed consent for photography in dental practice.

There are many reasons why patient images are used in dental practice. They are incorporated into the dental record as an adjunct to clinical care, displayed to colleagues, students and other audiences in educational settings, and published in scientific journals or other media as part of dental research. In each case it is not only prudent, but necessary for the patients' protection and interest that appropriate consent be obtained. While scientific journals invariably require written consent for photographs that may identify the patient, the format of the photograph consent form is usually not specified, nor is it always clear which images require consent. With the proliferation of published images on the Internet it has become particularly important to obtain permission for all uses that will be made of dental images, including worldwide distribution through various electronic media.