Adequacy, Satisfaction, and Factors Associated With Information Provided During Consent: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Prosthodontic Patients at Selected Dental Facilities in Kampala, Uganda

Background In dentistry, the practice of informed consent is crucial, more so for invasive procedures such as fixed prosthodontic treatment. Patients should have adequate information if they are to play a significant role in making decisions that reflect their values and preferences. Objective The objective of the present study was to determine the adequacy and factors associated with information provided during the informed consent process for fixed prosthodontic treatment among patients attending selected dental facilities in Kampala, Uganda. Methods The present study was a facility-based, cross-sectional study conducted between September 2023 and March 2024 at three dental facilities within tertiary-level hospitals in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The participants were patients aged 18 years and above who attended the selected dental facilities, needed fixed prosthodontic treatment, received information regarding the same, and consented to participate. Data were collected using three methods: administering a semi-structured questionnaire to patients, observation of the consent process, and a review of the patient records. Four research assistants administered a questionnaire to the participants in the form of an oral interview. It included items about participants' socio-demographic characteristics, service-related factors, elements of information provided, and patient satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square/Fisher's exact, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at p <0.05. Results The median age of the participants was 30 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24-38 years). Almost all (99.0%) had a formal education with more than two-thirds (70.6%) having a degree or diploma. The majority (>80.0%) needed treatment with a crown. All participants received the information verbally and only 4.2% reported having received written information. Overall, just over half (52.6 %) received adequate consent information, though, most participants were satisfied with the information provided. About a third (38.8%) of them received information regarding the probable risks or postoperative complications (29.7%) of the treatment they were to undertake. There was variation in the components of information provided by the dentists during the informed consent process and there were no treatment-specific consent forms used. In multivariate analysis, patients who had the opportunity to ask questions and those who had received information at a prior appointment before treatment were positively associated with adequate information. Conclusion The present study reported on the inadequacy of information provided during the informed consent process for fixed prosthodontic treatment. It is recommended to develop and use a standardized informed consent document that includes all pertinent information, together with additional visual aids to enhance the delivery of information. In addition, it is suggested to give patients the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any information provided.