Patient Rights and Responsibilities
A Statement of Patient Rights and Responsibilities
West Virginia University School of Dentistry and its faculty have a
responsibility to the patient and the patient has a corresponding reciprocal
responsibility. It is in recognition of these factors that these rights
and responsibilities are affirmed.
- The patient has the right to considerate and respectful emergency, incremental
and comprehensive dental care insofar as resources permit.
- The patient has the right to obtain from their oral health care provider
(dentist, postdoctoral student, dental student, dental hygienist, dental hygiene
student, and staff member) complete and current information concerning their
diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms they can be reasonably expected to
understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the
patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate person
authorized in his/her behalf. The patient has the right to know the name of the
oral health care provider responsible for coordinating their care.
- The patient has the right to receive from his/her oral health care provider
information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any
procedure. Except in emergencies, such information for informed consent should
include but not necessarily be limited to the specific procedure(s) and expected
outcomes, the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of
incapacitation. Where medically significant alternatives for care or treatment
exist, or when the patient requests information concerning alternatives, the
patient has the right to such information. The patient also has the right to
know the name of the person responsible for the procedures being performed.
- A primary function of the dental school is to educate and train students to
become dentists/dental hygienists. These students are required to attain broad
clinical experience and competency in the various disciplines of dentistry.
Treatment plans are developed by the supervising faculty to respect the
principles of good dentistry while thoughtfully considering the patient’s
wishes. This will assure high quality care for the patient and provide
necessary clinical experiences for the student. A patient unable or unwilling
to accommodate this responsibility may not be managed in the predoctoral
teaching program. Such patients may be referred to other services for care.
The patient also has the right to refuse any treatment to the extent permitted
by law and to be informed of the oral or systemic health consequences of their
action. The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy concerning
his/her own dental care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination,
and treatment are confidential and must be conducted
discreetly. To be present those not directly involved in providing care must
have the permission of the patient.
- The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records
pertaining to his/her care be treated as confidential.
- The patient has the right to expect that the dental clinic will provide
evaluation, service, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. A
patient may be referred or transferred to another oral health care provider
based on complete information concerning the need for transfer or referral.
- The patient has the right to be advised if the dental school proposes to engage
in or perform human experimentation affecting his/her care or treatment. The
patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
- The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity and completion of
care. He/she has the right to know in advance what appointment times and dental
services are available and where. The patient has the responsibility to be
consistent and prompt in keeping appointments and informing the School as soon
as possible if they are unable to do so. The patient has the right to expect
that the dental clinic will provide a mechanism whereby he/she is informed by
his/her oral health care provider of continuing oral health care requirements
following completion of a cycle of treatment.
- The patient has the right to a treatment cost estimate while realizing that
contingencies can arise requiring modification of treatment plans and costs of
services. The patient is responsible for the payment of services rendered
consistent with dental school policy. The patient has the right to examine and
receive an explanation of professional fees regardless of the source of payment.
- The patient has the right to have his/her concerns and/or complaints heard,
reviewed, and responded to by a patient advocate provided by the Office of
Clinic Administration at (304) 293-2062.