If a dentist's office implements a referral incentive that could violate the Dental Practice Act, what is the hygienist's appropriate action?

• A. Participate to earn extra pay
• B. Refuse to participate
• C. Report to the board
• D. Seek a new job

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is upholding legal and ethical boundaries by not participating in anything that could violate the Dental Practice Act. Refusing to participate in a referral incentive that could breach the Act is the best action because it prevents being complicit in a scheme that could influence clinical decisions, compromise patient welfare, and expose you and the practice to disciplinary action. By saying no, you maintain professional integrity and compliance with the law. If there’s evidence of ongoing or systemic violations, reporting to the appropriate regulatory board is a prudent step, but the immediate, appropriate action in this scenario is to decline participation. Participating for extra pay would directly violate the Act; seeking a new job in no way addresses the potential harm to patients or the violation at hand.