Which describes a breach of contract in the patient-hygienist relationship?

• A. When patient fails to show up for appointments.
• B. When financial rights or privacy rights are violated, or services agreed upon are not performed, or are delayed for an extended period.
• C. When the patient asks for a discount.
• D. When the provider misses an appointment.

Answer: (B)

Breaches of contract in a patient-hygienist relationship happen when the promises and protections in the agreement aren’t honored. The contract includes delivering the agreed-upon hygiene services, handling fees as agreed, and protecting patient privacy. When those duties aren’t fulfilled—meaning the services promised aren’t performed or are delayed for a long period, or a patient’s financial or privacy rights are violated—the contract is breached. This describes the situation where core promises about care, billing, and confidentiality aren’t met.

The other scenarios don’t illustrate a contract breach in the same way. A patient not showing up is a cancellation/attendance issue, not a failure by the hygienist to perform as agreed. A patient asking for a discount is a negotiation, not a breach. A provider missing an appointment is a service lapse, but the described breach focuses on not performing agreed services or violating patient rights, which is the essence of a contract breach.