When treatment planning, although practitioners are required to discuss treatment options with their patients, including their associated costs, we remind members of the importance of remaining independent of patient’s financial arrangements.
In accordance with AHPRA’s shared Code of Conduct, health practitioners must practise within the scope of their education, training, and competence, and avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Importantly, practitioners are not qualified, authorised, nor registered to provide financial advice.
The provision of financial advice is regulated by ASIC and may only be provided by appropriately licensed or authorised financial advisers. Health practitioners who recommend, endorse, or facilitate specific financial products or providers (including advice relating to loans or the early release of superannuation), risk acting outside their scope of practice and exposing themselves to regulatory, legal, and professional risk.
Where patients raise concerns about affordability, practitioners may provide clear, factual, and transparent information about treatment options, costs, and alternatives, but should not offer direction in relation to financing. Patients should be encouraged to seek independent financial advice from suitably qualified professionals before entering into any financial arrangements.
Maintaining an arm’s-length relationship with patient finance providers supports ethical practice, protects patient autonomy, and assists practitioners in meeting their obligations under AHPRA, the Dental Board of Australia, and Australian financial services law.
ADA NSW Advisory Services would welcome any questions you might have about compliance, and we offer confidential advice or support should you be subject to a complaint or regulatory investigation. Please contact us on (02) 8436 9944 or advisory@adansw.com.au