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dental records ownership?

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mingdurga

Junior Member
Dissatisfied with current dentist. Need my x ray films taken dec.09 to show to new dentist. My dentist won't give me the original film. Don't want to get full x-rays again. What are my rights in nyc,ny?
 


swalsh411

Senior Member
Has your new dentist said he needs originals? I have only ever given copies when I've gone to a new dentist.
 

ecmst12

Senior Member
He owns the records. You have the right to copies, and he can charge you a reasonable copying fee for them.
 
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mingdurga

Junior Member
dentist?????

Don't owe this dentist a red cent. What good are xrays to them anyway if I'm never coming back to this incompetent doctor.
 

ecmst12

Senior Member
He is required by law to maintain records on ALL patients seen, current or former, for several years.
 

JustAPal00

Senior Member
He owns the records. You have the right to copies, and he can charge you a reasonably copying fee for them.
Coming from a family with a few dentists in it I understand that to be tru, but in reality didn't the OP pay for the x-rays?
 

barry1817

Senior Member
dental

Dissatisfied with current dentist. Need my x ray films taken dec.09 to show to new dentist. My dentist won't give me the original film. Don't want to get full x-rays again. What are my rights in nyc,ny?
Have your new dentist call and ask that the records be forwarded to him. That usually makes the old dentist happier, I have seldom seen that request denied.

As to if you owed money, which you say you don't, it is still not ethical for a dentist to retain records, and I have seen it in the dental code that a dentist may not withhold records even if fees are due.

Just sounds like another dentist that wants to put a black eye on the profession when it isn't necessary.
 

ecmst12

Senior Member
The healthcare provider MUST keep the original records. That is the law. He MAY NOT destroy or give away the original records for something like 7-10 years. The patient pays for the dentist's SERVICES, not the product of the x-rays or other records.
 

mingdurga

Junior Member
dental records

Stuck with a $60 bill for my x ray copies. Have to search for a new dentist that doesn't send you out to a specialist for every little procedure that he or she thinks belongs in the hands of a specialist. Root canals yes, but removing a broken root from an old root canal that requires no pain killer? Too many specialist with their hands in your pockets or in this case dipping into your insurance monies.
 

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