Aim: The aim of this study was to look at the current practice of obtaining verbal or written consent for extraction of impacted third molars by general practitioners and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods: Cross sectional study based on questionnaire designed by authors were submitted to general practitioners and oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was to review the title of clinicians, occupations, year of experiences and the method used for consenting the patients. SPSS software used for statistical analysis.

Results: Among the submitted questionnaire, the response rate was 83%, 65 males and 18 females (77.4% and 21.4%, respectively). Almost 80% of the clinicians consented their patients prior to extraction of impacted 3rd molars. Verbal consent was the most method used for consenting the patients (52.4%). Swelling, trismus and soft tissue injury were the most three complications they consent the patients about it (94%, 73.8% and 64.3% respectively).

Conclusions: The verbal consent was the most method used by clinicians in term of consenting the patients. And among the complications for consenting, we found that swelling was the most, while fracture of maxillary tuberosity the least.