User:Ellenfact/sandbox

Mass Dental Reference tool to share with senior management

Question/Answers

Dental Records Q.How long do I have to keep dental records? A. 7 years from last date of service, in Addition, the patient record of a minor shall be retained for a minimum of seven years from teh date of the last patient treatment or three years from when the patient has reached the age of maturity, whichever is later 234 CMR 2.00 5.14

Q.What is required to be in the patient records? A. Please refer to 234 CMR 5.15

Q. Can i give a patient request the original dental record upon request? A. No. The licensee shall provide upon request by a patient, a complete copy of the patient's dental record, including radiographs, within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed 30 days.

Q. Can a dentist charge for making a copy of a dental record for a patient? A. Yes, The licensee may charge a reasonable fee for the expense of providing a patient't dental record, not to exceed the cost of either labor and/or materials incurred in the copying of the patient record, radiographs and models.

Q What needs to be in a patients record? A. The patient record shall be a complete record of all patient contact including but not limited to: a general descritpion of the patient's medical and dental history and status at time of examination, diagnoses, patient education, treatment plan, referral for specialty treatment, medications administered and prescribed, pre-and post- treatment instructions and information conveyed to the patient see section 234 CMR 5.15