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When the dentist suggests treatment, you are part of the decision. Here is what the dentist should explain, the questions worth asking, and where to read more about common choices.
Before treating your child, a dentist needs your informed consent. The AAPD describes this as a conversation, not just a form. The dentist explains what they see, what they suggest and why, the benefits and risks, and the other options, including doing nothing for now, with the benefits and risks of each.
As the parent or legal guardian, you decide whether to go ahead. Older children and teens can join the conversation and agree to their care.
You can ask the dentist questions too. What is it? Will it feel funny? How long will it take?
Good choices come from good information. Grown-ups and dentists talk it through together before treatment starts.
You do not have to decide on the spot. These steps follow the AAPD’s guidance on how the consent conversation should go.
Ask the dentist to explain in plain words.
Include waiting, and what could happen with no treatment.
Ask about each option, not just the one suggested.
Ask to go over it again, or write it down. A second opinion is reasonable.
You decide with your dentist. Older children can share their views too.
The AAPD lists what a good consent conversation covers:
Here are the treatments families are most often asked to decide about. Each card gives the simple version, one thing to know, and a question to take to your dentist. Your dentist knows your child best.
In kid words: A patch for a tooth. The damaged part is taken away and something strong goes in its place.
Good to know: A filling repairs damage but does not treat the reason it happened. The AAPD says not every cavity needs one.
Ask your dentist: “Does this tooth need a filling now?”
In kid words: A little hat that covers the whole tooth to keep it safe.
Good to know: Crowns come up most often for teeth with more damage. The AAPD lists when they are used, and your dentist decides.
Ask your dentist: “Why a crown instead of a filling for this tooth?”
In kid words: A liquid painted on with a tiny brush. No drill.
Good to know: It helps stop a cavity from getting worse but does not repair the tooth. It turns the treated area permanently black.
Ask your dentist: “Which teeth would turn dark, and can I see before-and-after pictures?”
In kid words: Treats the soft, living middle of a tooth when decay has reached it.
Good to know: Often called a “baby root canal”, but part of the living tissue stays in the roots.
Ask your dentist: “Why does this tooth need pulp treatment, and what follow-up is planned?”
In kid words: Sometimes a baby tooth is too poorly to wait, so the dentist helps it come out early.
Good to know: Losing a baby tooth early can lead to a separate decision about a space maintainer.
Ask your dentist: “Can this tooth be saved, and do we need to plan for the gap?”
In kid words: Like saving a seat for the grown-up tooth.
Good to know: It holds the gap open until the permanent tooth arrives. It is not braces.
Ask your dentist: “Does this gap need a space maintainer?”
In kid words: Breathe in slowly through a small nose mask. You stay awake, and it wears off in minutes.
Good to know: It can help with feeling calm, but it does not numb the tooth.
Ask your dentist: “Would nitrous oxide help my child, and will numbing still be needed?”
In kid words: Medicine to help you feel calm or sleepy, given only where trained people can watch you.
Good to know: It needs a careful health check and its own consent conversation with the dentist.
Ask your dentist: “Why sedation, what are the other options, and how will my child be watched?”
It is okay to ask the dentist to explain again, in simple words. Start with our list of questions.
The parent or legal guardian, after talking it through with the dentist. Older children can share their views too.
Yes. The AAPD says the dentist should explain the risks and benefits of no treatment as well as the other options.
Take your time when you can. The AAPD notes that having the consent discussion on a different day from the treatment, and not downplaying the risks, both help families decide. Many people find it hard to take in everything at once, so it is fine to ask the dentist to go over it again or write it down.
Plans can change. Sometimes the dentist finds something different once treatment starts, for example a baby tooth planned for nerve treatment that turns out to need removal. The AAPD says your consent should be updated when the plan changes.
Language and access. If you would understand better in another language, ask for an interpreter. Practices that receive federal funding, and those in many states, must offer one at no cost to you. The AAPD says translation apps are not a substitute for a professional interpreter.
A grandparent, sitter or other adult may not be able to give consent for treatment. Ask the office how to give permission ahead of time, for example by phone or with a written authorization.
Yes. This is called informed refusal. The dentist should explain what could happen if your child does not have the treatment, and may ask you to sign a form noting your decision. If the dentist feels the refusal goes against the standard of care, they may suggest a second opinion.
Yes. It is reasonable to ask for one, especially for larger treatment plans. Ask the office to share your child’s records and X-rays so they do not need to be repeated.
Ask. The AAPD says consent forms should use simple words and be specific to the procedure, and that the conversation matters more than the form. Signing a form does not replace a full discussion.
Older children and teens can take part in the conversation and agree to their care, and the AAPD encourages dentists to involve them in an age-appropriate way. The parent or guardian still gives the legal consent.
Tell the dentist. Ask which treatment is most urgent, what could happen if some treatment waits, and whether there are other options. See Insurance and access to care.
The statements about informed consent, refusal, second opinions, children’s assent, consent forms, updating consent, interpreters and who can consent come from the AAPD best practice on informed consent below. The descriptions of treatment choices summarize our own Cavity Corner and Dental Visits pages, which carry their own sources. The questions to ask and the cost advice are general guidance from our team.
Review status: pending. No named reviewer or review date yet.
This website is for education only and does not replace care from your dentist, physician, or emergency services.