If fluoride is applied to a child without parental permission, this is considered what?

When fluoride is applied to a child without parental permission, it constitutes technical battery. In the context of medical or dental practices, battery refers to the unauthorized touching or treatment of a person. Since minors are not able to give legal consent, it is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to provide permission for any medical or dental treatment performed on their child. Therefore, administering fluoride in this situation, without the appropriate consent, would be considered a violation of the child's rights and the parents' rights, hence qualifying as technical battery.

The other options do not adequately address the legal implications involved in this scenario. Informed consent refers to the process of obtaining permission after providing adequate information about the procedure and its risks, which was not obtained in this case. A routine procedure is typically a commonly performed treatment that does not necessitate significant risks or special considerations for informed consent. Negligence implies a failure to provide the standard of care expected in a particular situation, but the critical element here revolves around the lack of consent rather than an error in care.