Personal powers of decision and individuality must be respected, grounded on autonomy expressed through informed consent. This paper examines data on the actual use of informed consent in public hospitals in Brazil's Federal District. A questionnaire was completed by dentists in public hospitals, and its findings show that verbal informed consent is obtained at the start of treatment in most of the hospitals. Errors were noted in the use and conceptualization of informed consent. Failing to distinguish between image rights authorization and informed consent, the documents provide little information and do not explain important aspects of the treatment. Dentists practicing in the public hospital network thus need more detailed knowledge of basic bio-ethics in order to merge the long-consolidated and regulated principle of welfare with the principle of autonomy.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare complex multisystem disorder and presents several aspects related to dentistry. The purpose of this review is to present current perspectives about oral health in patients with PWS. Delay development, hyperphagia, foamy and highly viscous saliva raise the risk of caries and contribute to tooth wear. Cariogenic foods uncontrolled consumption allows to obesity and dental problems progress worsening systemic disorders. These factors can be controlled. The success in follow-ups with caries free and oral health controlled demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary team intervention corroborated by support at home from birth to adulthood. Thereby, current perspective on the disease is that there is possibility of proper maintenance of oral health in PWS patients. Guided care interferes positively with the overall well-being and quality of life of the individual with PWS and their family. A multidisciplinary team with a focus on teaching patients and family members will help minimize eventual problems.

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