What financial transaction is a dental hygienist prohibited from engaging in?

A dental hygienist is prohibited from paying commissions for referrals because this practice can create a conflict of interest and may compromise the quality of patient care. Paying for referrals can lead to unethical behavior where patient decisions about their care are influenced by financial incentives rather than their health needs. Such practices threaten the integrity of the dental profession and can violate legal and ethical standards established to protect patients.

Other financial transactions, such as offering payment plans, accepting insurance payments, or charging for consultations, can be ethical and legal practices within a dental hygienist's scope of work. For instance, offering payment plans can help make dental care more accessible to patients, while accepting insurance payments is a common practice in healthcare. Charging for consultations can be a standard fee-for-service model that hygienists can implement. However, the key aspect that makes paying commissions for referrals inappropriate is its potential to undermine trust and promote unethical conduct in patient care.