Expressed consent can be conveyed in which form?

• A. Written
• B. Oral
• C. Neither
• D. Both Written and Oral

Answer: (D)

Expressed consent means the patient clearly agrees to a procedure, not just going along by chance or assumption. It can be given in two forms: written or oral. A written consent provides a tangible record that spells out what will be done, the risks, alternatives, and the patient’s signature, which helps protect both patient and clinician. Oral consent is also valid because it shows explicit agreement, as long as it is documented in the patient’s record, noting what was discussed and the patient’s questions and responses. In dentistry, obtaining informed consent before treatment is essential for patient autonomy and legal protection, and while written consent is often preferred for documentation, oral consent meets the requirement of expressed consent when properly recorded. Therefore, expressed consent can be conveyed in both written and oral forms.