Ace the California RDH Law & Ethics Exam 2026 – Smile Bright and Rule Right!

The term "referral" in dental hygiene practice specifically refers to the process of sending a patient to another healthcare provider for further evaluation or treatment. When a dental hygienist encounters a situation that requires specialized care beyond their scope of practice, a referral is made to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate treatment from an expert, such as a dentist or a specialist. This practice is essential for maintaining comprehensive patient care and ensuring that all of a patient's health needs are met.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the correct meaning of "referral." Providing a second opinion may involve evaluating a patient’s condition; however, this does not inherently mean that the patient is being sent elsewhere for treatment. Discontinuing care refers to an entirely different concept, and offering discounted services for referrals, while potentially occurring in some practices, does not align with the standard definition of referring a patient for care. Thus, the correct interpretation is clearly tied to the process of making referrals to ensure continuous and appropriate patient treatment.