Consent risk in UK dentistryAI-assisted · Clinician-reviewed

Consent Issues Are a Major Source of Litigation

The CQC expects valid consent before treatment under Regulation 11. After Montgomery v Lanarkshire, clinicians must disclose material risks and alternatives clearly — yet many practices still rely on paper forms or informal conversations.

SmileConsent is a digital platform for informed consent. Select a patient, add treatments and costs, then review and edit an AI-assisted draft before you send for digital signature.

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smileconsent.co.uk — Generate consent

Also free from SmileConsent

GDC & CQC documentation themes
AI-assisted consent
Digital signing
Built for UK practices
Cancel anytime
No long-term contracts
The Challenge

Consent Issues Are a Major Source of Litigation

Consent issues are a major source of litigation, complaints, and regulatory scrutiny in UK dentistry. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects practices to demonstrate that valid consent is obtained before any treatment is delivered, in line with Regulation 11.

Legal Rulings Impact

Legal rulings, such as Montgomery v Lanarkshire, have made it essential for clinicians to disclose material risks and treatment alternatives clearly.

Current Practice Issues

Many practices still rely on paper forms or informal conversations, leading to unclear records, miscommunication, and legal exposure.

The Solution

Digital Platform for Informed Consent

Smile Consent is a digital platform that helps dental practices document informed, voluntary consent clearly. Materials are designed to reflect common UK expectations (including CQC Regulation 11 and GDC themes) — your practice must still judge suitability for each case.

Solution Overview

Smile Consent helps you produce a consent draft in minutes. Select a patient, add treatments and costs, then review and edit AI-assisted wording before send—with digital signing and records where the product provides them.

AI-assisted, clinician-reviewed consent
Digital signing & secure PDFs
Documentation aligned with Regulation 11 themes
GDC standards aligned
UK
Built for dental practices
AI-assisted
Draft in minutes
Clinician-reviewed
Before you send
Regulation 11
Documentation themes

Comprehensive solutions designed for UK dental practices

From NHS compliance to private practice management, SmileConsent provides everything UK dentists need for seamless consent management.

AI-assisted consent in minutes

Select a patient, add treatments and costs, then generate an editable draft. UK-oriented wording, risks, and alternatives — your team reviews before send.

Clinician-reviewed documentation

Drafts informed by common UK consent themes (including GDC and CQC documentation expectations). You remain responsible for accuracy and suitability for each patient.

Save Time Every Day

Patient search by name, email, DOB or address. Add multiple treatments per consent with optional costs. Review, edit, then send for digital signature.

Multiple Treatments & Private Pricing

One consent can cover several treatments. Per-treatment and total costs, tooth names in full (e.g. upper right central incisor), and the same PDF for clinic and patient.

Records for governance

Consent activity and materials in one place to support your own audits and preparation for scrutiny — not a guarantee of inspection outcomes.

Digital Signing & Consent Pathway

Send consent by email; patients view and sign digitally. Support for consent pathway (e.g. parental consent, Gillick competence) where relevant.

Simple & Effective

Your Consent Pathway

From selecting a patient and adding treatments to a signed consent in minutes. AI generates UK-compliant wording; you review, then send for digital signature.

1Select Patient & Treatments

Patient & Treatments

Search for your patient by name, email, DOB or address. Add one or more treatments with diagnosis, tooth and cost. Total cost auto-fills—edit if needed.

Patient search
Treatments & cost
Generate AI consent
Review & send
smileconsent.co.uk
1Patient2Treatments3Review & send

Patient

Treatments

DiagnosisTreatmentToothCost (£)

Total cost (£) — Filled from row costs; edit to override.

smileconsent.co.uk
New consent > Review & edit

Review and edit consent

Diagnosis

Tooth wear affecting upper right central incisor (tooth 11).

Proposed treatment(s)

Porcelain crown on tooth 11 (upper right central incisor).

Risks and complications

As with any procedure, there are potential risks including…

2Generate & Review

AI-assisted draft & clinician review

Generate an AI-assisted draft with diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks (Montgomery-style themes), alternatives and cost. UK spelling and common professional wording — review and edit every section before you send.

UK-oriented wording (GDC themes, Montgomery-style)
Edit any section before sending
Same PDF for clinic and patient
3Patient Experience

Patients Receive Digital Forms

Your patients receive secure, mobile-optimized consent forms via email. They can read, understand, and sign directly from any device with our intuitive interface - no app downloads required.

Mobile-optimized interface
Secure digital signatures
No account creation needed

Your consent

Review and sign

Please review and sign below:

I understand the risks and benefits...

Signature: John Smith

smileconsent.co.uk

Consent Status Dashboard

Form Created
Today at 10:30 AM
Sent to Patient
Today at 10:35 AM
Patient Viewed
Today at 2:15 PM
Signed & Completed
Today at 2:20 PM
4Progress Tracking

Monitor & Download

Track your patient's consent journey in real-time with our comprehensive dashboard. Once completed, instantly download the signed form as a PDF or integrate directly with your practice management system.

Real-time status tracking
Instant PDF download
Practice software integration
Start Your Consent Journey Today

Ready to Streamline Your Consent Pathway?

Join hundreds of UK dental practices already using SmileConsent to ensure CQC compliance and improve patient care. Get started in minutes, not days.

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No charge during trial
14-day free trial
Cancel anytime
No long-term contracts
Enterprise-Grade Security

Your Patient Data is Protected

Built with security-first principles to ensure your dental practice meets the highest standards of data protection and patient privacy.

Secure HTTPS Connection

All data transmission is encrypted with SSL/TLS protocols. Your patients' information is protected with bank-level security standards.

DOB Verification Required

Patients must verify their date of birth before accessing consent forms. This ensures only authorized individuals can view sensitive medical information.

GDPR-aware design

Built with UK data protection in mind. Your practice remains the controller and responsible for lawful processing, DPIAs, and professional obligations.

Activity records

Consent-related events are logged where the product supports it, to support your own governance — scope depends on plan and workflow.

Protected Patient Portal

Secure patient access with encrypted communications. Patients can only view their own consent forms through verified authentication.

UK-Based Data Storage

All patient data is stored in UK-based secure data centers, ensuring compliance with UK data protection regulations.

Built for UK dental practices

Our security measures are designed for UK dental practices, helping protect patient data. Your practice remains responsible for meeting its legal and professional obligations.

Clearer consent records

Better evidence of informed consent

Organised consent materials and activity logs help you demonstrate what was shared with patients. This supports your wider quality systems — it does not replace them and does not guarantee any CQC outcome.

Visibility

See pending and completed consents in one place where the product provides a dashboard.

Checklists (your policies)

Use your own inspection preparation processes alongside stored consent records.

Evidence of information given

Signed materials and timestamps where captured — subject to your configuration and plan.

Governance support

Consistent workflows make peer review and training easier — responsibility stays with the practice.

Why documentation matters

Inspectors often ask how consent was obtained and recorded. SmileConsent helps you present a coherent digital trail for consent managed through the platform. It does not perform automated CQC compliance scoring or replace your wider governance.

5
CQC key lines of enquiry (practice-led)
24/7
Access when you need records
Edit
Clinician review before send
UK-focused product

Designed for UK dental consent practice

Smile Consent reflects common UK consent themes and workflows. Your practice remains responsible for meeting all applicable law, regulation, and professional standards.

Regulatory Alignment

CQC Regulation 11

Need for Consent - Ensures practices obtain valid consent before treatment delivery.

Montgomery v Lanarkshire [2015]

UKSC 11 - Establishes duty to disclose material risks and treatment alternatives.

GDC Standards

Standards for the Dental Team - Professional standards for consent and patient communication.

Legal & Regulatory Evidence

Montgomery v Lanarkshire [2015]

"The doctor is under a duty to take reasonable care to ensure that the patient is aware of any material risks..."

UKSC 11

GDC Standards for the Dental Team

"You must make sure that patients give their consent to treatment before it starts."

Principle 3

Dental Law Partnership

Frequently reports compensation claims where consent was not fully documented or properly explained.

Common Legal and Compliance Risks Prevented

No Written Record

Prevents missing consent documentation

Failure to Disclose

Ensures material risks are disclosed

Time Pressure

Prevents rushed consent processes

Documentation Issues

Ensures proper audit trails

💼 Why Smile Consent?

Consent isn't just a form — it's a legal, ethical, and CQC requirement

Smile Consent gives dental practices a structured, digital way to manage, record, and prove valid patient consent.

✅ How Smile Consent Supports Your CQC Inspection:

🛡️ SAFE

  • Ensures clear, documented consent before any treatment
  • Helps prevent wrong procedures or misunderstandings
  • Integrated capacity checks for vulnerable patients

🎯 EFFECTIVE

  • Ensures consent is based on accurate, relevant information
  • Supports clinical decision-making with AI-generated, up-to-date consent
  • Reinforces best practice from GDC and Mental Capacity Act guidance

❤️ CARING

  • Provides accessible consent formats (easy-read, translations)
  • Builds trust with clear, compassionate communication
  • Involves families/advocates when appropriate

🔄 RESPONSIVE

  • Customizable to each patient and treatment plan
  • Digital forms can be adapted quickly for urgent or complex cases
  • Includes options for remote consent and pre-visit completion

🏁 WELL-LED

  • Tracks who obtained consent, when, and how — fully auditable
  • Ensures consistency across clinicians and staff
  • Supports staff training and governance requirements

Ready to Transform Your Consent Process?

Join hundreds of UK dental practices already using Smile Consent to ensure CQC compliance and improve patient care.

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Core Features

Everything You Need for Digital Consent

Comprehensive features designed specifically for UK dental practices to ensure compliance and improve patient care.

Procedure-Specific Forms

Digital consent forms for fillings, extractions, whitening, implants, and more.

  • • Review and edit every section before sending
  • • Risk disclosure included
  • • Alternative treatments listed

Digital Signature Capture

Secure digital signatures with timestamped records for legal compliance.

  • • Legally binding signatures
  • • Timestamp verification
  • • Audit trail included

Secure Cloud Storage

Cloud-based storage with comprehensive audit trails and data protection.

  • • GDPR compliant
  • • Encrypted storage
  • • Backup and recovery

User-Friendly Interface

Intuitive design for in-practice use on tablets or desktop computers.

  • • Touch-friendly design
  • • Quick setup process
  • • Minimal training required

PDF Export & Printing

Printable and exportable PDFs for patient records and practice documentation.

  • • Professional formatting
  • • Practice branding
  • • Easy integration

Centralized Dashboard

Monitor consent activity and staff usage with comprehensive analytics.

  • • Real-time monitoring
  • • Staff accountability
  • • Performance insights

Built-in Best Practice Guides

Comprehensive guides for effective communication during consent processes, ensuring patients fully understand their treatment options.

Consent and patient communication
Risk explanation guides
Patient education resources
Benefits for Your Practice

Transform Your Consent Process

Join hundreds of UK dental practices already using Smile Consent to ensure compliance and improve patient care.

Peace of Mind

Confidence during CQC inspections with comprehensive compliance documentation.

Legal Defence

Stronger legal defence if complaints arise with complete audit trails.

Consistent Communication

More consistent patient communication across all clinicians and staff.

Professional Experience

A more professional, modern patient experience that builds trust.

Easy Staff Onboarding

Simplified training and accountability for new staff members with intuitive workflows.

  • Minimal training required
  • Standardized processes
  • Clear accountability

Who It's For

Perfect for all types of UK dental practices and clinics.

  • NHS and private dental practices
  • Cosmetic and implant clinics
  • Orthodontists and general dental teams
  • Practices preparing for CQC inspections
UK Dental Expertise

Built for UK Dental Practices

SmileConsent is built for UK dental consent workflows — AI-assisted drafting with mandatory clinician review, plus signing and records to support your documentation.

GDC-oriented wording

Drafts reflect common professional expectations; you must still exercise independent judgment for each patient.

Inspection preparation support

Retrieve consent records from the platform to support your own preparation — not a guarantee of inspection outcomes.

NHS & Private

Seamless support for both NHS treatment bands and private procedures with specialized workflows.

Time Saving

AI-generated consent and streamlined workflow save practices hours daily on consent management.

Why UK Dental Practices Choose SmileConsent

Unlike generic consent solutions, SmileConsent understands the unique challenges of UK dental practices. Our platform combines regulatory expertise with practical workflow automation to deliver a solution that actually works for UK dentists and their patients.

What SmileConsent Includes

Core features designed for UK dental consent workflows

AI-assisted consent drafting in minutes (clinician-reviewed)

Editable UK-oriented wording aligned with common professional themes

Patient search (name, email, DOB, address)

Multiple treatments per consent, private pricing

Digital signing & same PDF for clinic and patient

Consent records & activity logs to support your own preparation

Advanced analytics & reporting

24/7 UK support

No long-term contracts

Automated audit trails

Mobile-responsive patient signing

Consent pathway (parental / Gillick) support

Transparent Pricing

Choose the plan that scales with your practice

All plans include unlimited clinicians — no per-seat fees.

🎉
14-Day Free Trial - No Charge During Trial!
Try SmileConsent risk-free. Your card won't be charged until after your trial ends. Cancel anytime — no long-term contracts.
🎉
Starter

Perfect for small practices

600 consents per month

£9.99/month
AI-generated consent forms
GDC & CQC compliant, UK-law ready
Digital signing & PDF export
Patient search (name, email, DOB)
Audit trails & CQC-ready records
Email support
Start Free Trial

Secure payment via Stripe

Most Popular
Growth Pro

Most popular for growing practices

5,000 consents per month

£15.99/month
AI-generated consent forms
GDC & CQC compliant, UK-law ready
Digital signing & PDF export
Patient search (name, email, DOB)
Audit trails & CQC-ready records
Email support
Unlimited clinicians — no per-seat fees
Advanced analytics & reporting
Real-time compliance monitoring
Multiple treatments per consent
Free staff training session
Priority email support (24h)
Consent pathway support
Start Free Trial

Secure payment via Stripe

Enterprise

For large practices and groups

Unlimited consents per month (subject to fair use)

£29.99/month
AI-generated consent forms
GDC & CQC compliant, UK-law ready
Digital signing & PDF export
Patient search (name, email, DOB)
Audit trails & CQC-ready records
Email support
Unlimited clinicians — no per-seat fees
Advanced analytics & reporting
Real-time compliance monitoring
Multiple treatments per consent
Free staff training session
Priority email support (24h)
Consent pathway support
Dedicated account manager
Phone support & onboarding call
Multi-site & group practice ready
Custom pricing for large groups
SLA-backed priority response
Start Free Trial

Secure payment via Stripe

All plans include a 14-day free trial • Cancel anytime • No long-term contracts • No setup fees

✓ Cancel anytime✓ No long-term contracts✓ 24/7 support✓ GDPR compliant

Ready to Transform Your Dental Practice?

Join UK dental practices using SmileConsent to streamline consent with AI-assisted drafts and clinician-reviewed sending.

Cancel anytime • No long-term contracts • Implementation in under 24 hours • UK-based support

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