How long must a medical/dental office retain patients' records?

Seven years...





TITLE XXX


OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS


CHAPTER 317-A


DENTISTS AND DENTISTRY


Regulations and Penalties


Section 317-A:27-a


317-A:27-a Dental Records. – Dentists and dental hygienists shall make a record of all examinations and treatments performed or recommended. The record shall be in such a manner and in sufficient detail that it may be used for identification purposes. A dentist shall maintain patients' paper, electronic, and radiographic records for at least 7 years from the time the dentist or dental hygienist last treated the patient. In the case of a minor patient, a dentist shall maintain a patient's paper, electronic, and radiographic dental records for at least 7 years past the age of majority.


Source. 1983, 73:1. 1994, 240:5. 2000, 5:25, eff. July 1, 2000. 2006, 238:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.

How long must a medical/dental office retain patients' records?
According to law -- call your dentist and ask them the magic question...
Reply:10 years...i have worked in a med office for the last six years. Files within the last year should be kept onsight and any therefter in a warehouse...or similar for 10.

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