previous dentist won't release my records
I am wondering if it is legal and a common practice for a dental office to reject my request for my x-rays and records to another dentist because I have a balance at their office? I moved to a different city and need dental work. I am working on paying the balance from a crown (500.00) and can not pay that amount off before my appointment with my new dentist. What do you think? reply by Shelly ~ admin Hi, I'm sorry for your troubles. It's stressful enough moving to a new city and starting out with a new dentist... I wish I could be more help but unfortunately, I don't know if it is legal. You could ask the dental board of examiners in your previous state. Laws can vary from state to state. Be sure to find out when your previous x-rays were taken. If they are too outdated, you may not need them. Dental X rays that are copied lose some of the diagnostic quality and many dentists prefer to take new Xrays. A full set of dental x-rays are recommended once every 3 to 5 years. A smaller set called bite wing x-rays is usually taken once a year. If your x-rays are more than a year old, the new dentist will want current ones… especially if you need treatment. Luckily, radiation from dental X-rays is low and now digital dental Xray equipment has made it even lower. There is no need to worry about the safety of having your Xrays taken again. Some dentists will give you a discount or take your first set of Xrays for no charge. Here is an article about digital dental Xrays. Good luck, and thank you for writing:) ~Shelly~ |
