How can we get possession of our original xrays and related dental records?

Question

We visited a new dentist. The dentist was awful. However, the dentist took a complete set of xrays for both of us. We have found a new dentist (who is excellent!), but the former dentist will not allow us to have the xrays. They will loan the originals to our new dentist, but only if the new dentist agrees to return them promptly. We do not want to pay $25 to duplicate the originals because a) we've already paid for the x-rays and b) the duplicates are not as good as the originals and c) the new dentist wants to work with the originals. Do we have a legal right to possessing our xrays and related dental records? If not, can't we at least require the dentist to release the xrays (not just loan them) to our new dentist?

Answer 1

You do not have any rights to any type of records, only copies. The records belong to and are property of the facility of where they are taken at. Since the records are the property of the dentist, you cannot require him to do anything he does not want to do with them. He is only obligated to make copies by federal law. He can even refuse to show them to a court of law, but they can be subpoena, and he will have to show the originals at that time, but that is not the case with your issue.

Answer 2

You have a right to your records, but unfortunately nothing comes for free.

Our office requires 24 to 48 hours notice to patients who would like to take their records to a new dentist. We charge a fee to cover the costs of the film used to make a whole new set of xrays and pay for the time the assistants take to do it. And at least in our office, the duplicates we make are just as good as the original. And we accept duplicates from other dental offices, as long as they are of good quality and within 6 months to a year old with no major changes to the teeth. We dont give out the originals, only duplicates.
Have the other dentist loan the xrays to your new dentist. Have him take a look, and if they are good quality there is no reason why that office cant duplicate them. We try our best to work with our patients and make things easy for them, hopefully your new office can do the same for you.

Good luck!

Answer 3

In New Jersey, I own the records, but you have the right to request useable copies of them and I must comply with that request. I can charge a "reasonable fee" for duplication of x-rays and print records.

You can probably find this information on-line for your own state. Use "state board dentistry" and the name of your state as a search term and see what you come up with. At the very least, you will find a phone number so you can call and ask a human what the law is in your state.

Some dentists are real jerks about this and others (like me, of course) are more than willing to oblige and charge little or nothing for the duplication.

If you don't want to come back to me, I probably don't want to see you either, so why sweat it???

Answer 4

You have a right to request a copy of your x-rays, and they should be diagnostic quality. Duplicates can be quite good, have you actually seen them, or has the new dentist seen them?

According to HIPAA laws (these are federal, not state) if you submit a request in writing, the office is obligated to fulfill your request in 15 working days. They may charge a duplication fee, but it must be "reasonable", or not more than the original fee.

Dentists are required to keep records, so they cannot give up their only copy.

If I were you, I'd get the "loaned" copy of the originals, take them to your new dentist, and ask them to duplicate them for you. Chances are, if they want you for a patient, they won't charge you for the dups.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what state you live in, but in Massachusetts, to the best of my knowledge, those x-rays ARE your property! When I went to different hospital for surgery, the hospital that took x-rays and ultrasounds gave me ALL my original films to bring along (including ones that had nothing to do with my surgery!).

You have every right to take them -the actual films, (tho' the hospital, or doctor, can keep copies) to your new doctor/dentist. I'd contact the American Dental Assoc., your state's Attorney General and as always, threaten to sue! That usually works! If they still won't budge, get a lawyer and the court will issue a subpoena or whatever, to force them to turn over the films.

Answer 6

I have continuously been charged for the unique plates.They own the movie. In some states there's a minimize on how a lot they can charge and $50.00 is often the most. you'll get a duplicate of your information for loose in some states too. besides the undeniable fact that, in different states the traditional is $10.00 charge on your information. in the adventure that they received't supply them up you may call an ambulance chaser type of criminal specialist who receives a duplicate of our information on the least. He/she will be in a position to also study the information to make certain if there are any criminal duty themes. docs and Dentists genuinely hate once you even aspect out a criminal specialist in spite of the reality that so i'd not experience threat-free going back to an analogous one after that. As a very last motel it may get you your information. each body might want to shop their very own copies of information lately. All docs, labs, and clinics do no longer charge in spite of the reality that. it would want to be more interior of your means to get the x-rays executed back with a sparkling dentist and negotiate the movie into the equipment. basically clarify why you want to shop your own information contained in the starting up. some docs haven't any concern with even as others look to no longer truly favor to provide them up, yet they're yours. It would not sound like you're very pleased with this dentist, besides the undeniable fact that it may no longer be too late to placed on a grin and ask very kindly in the adventure that they can come back down on that value a touch.

Answer 7

i don't know. i think they're probably the property of the dentist because it's possible to take new ones or get a copy. it sux that they cost money, yeah...