Oral Health Therapist - Consent and Radiography

You are an Oral Health Therapist working in a private dental practice when a 16 year old patient called Jody comes in for a routine dental check-up and she is accompanied by her mother. You decide to take bitewing radiographs (x-rays) for the check-up.

Within this dental practice their are specific protocols that state each female patient of child bearing age should be asked if there is any chance of being pregnant and routine radiographs in pregnant patients should be deferred until the infant is born. (due to the risk of birth defects in the foetus). When you ask Jody this question her mother laughs loudly and says that is ridiculous and Jody remains quiet. But when you go to the x-ray room Jody admits she is in fact pregnant but begs you to not tell her mother.

As Jody is 16 she is able to consent for her own treatment and asks that you take the radiographs so that her mother will not get suspicious and ask questions as to why the radiographs were not taken.