Shared decision‐making (SDM) in dentistry: A concise narrative review

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to evaluate the implementation of shared decision-making (SDM) in dentistry and the roles of informed consent and patient decision-making aids (PDAs) as part of this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of pertinent literature was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE to determine the current position of the application of SDM in dentistry and the influence of informed consent and PDAs on this process. RESULTS: Limited number of published studies on the implementation of SDM in dental practice is available. These studies demonstrated that SDM is influenced by many factors. Informed consent intertwines with the SDM process and begins with providing high quality information to patients and employing PDAs. PDAs have been developed for some dental fields to facilitate the SDM process. CONCLUSIONS: SDM is applied in dentistry and is influenced by many factors. Informed consent is an important part of this process. PDAs in more dental fields need to be further developed, in order to ensure a satisfactory integration of patients in the SDM process.