Are dental x-rays property of the dental office, or the patient?

The xrays are the property of the dentist that took them. They are a legal record. What you are paying for is for the service of having them taken and diagnosed by the dentist. At the patient's request, a copy of 'diagnostic quality' can be given to the patient's new dentist. But the dentist should never and probably won't ever give up the originals. Even when xrays are required by an insurance company in order to process a claim, they only want a duplicate copy, never the original.

Are dental x-rays property of the dental office, or the patient?
Both own the x-ray film, if the patient don't need to keep it-it's better kept in the dental office, if told of such need-the dental radiographer can use the double film in which one can be kept in the office and the other given to the patient...
Reply:According to the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), you have the right to review your medical or dental records. You may also request to receive a copy of your records at a reasonable fee.





From my experience, the original records/x-rays belong to the dental office. Although it varies from State to State, medical providers have to keep records on their patients (present, previous, deceased or alive) for up to 7 years after their last date of treatment.





Some dentists/doctors/labs will hand over your x-rays if requested, but I don't believe they have a duty to do so. They do have to permit you to have copies, though, at a reasonable cost to you.
Reply:They belong to the dentist. You, or your insurance, paid for the cost taking of the x-rays, and the dentist dianosing off of them. Legally the dentist must keep the originals in his/her office for a certain number of years, each state I am sure has different time periods.





You do have the right to a copy of the x-rays, but the dentist also has the right to charge for the cost of the duplication of them. They also have the right to have advance notice of a request of the copies.





Good luck
Reply:If the medical/dental records are about you then you have a right to have access to them. Like others have said they may not give you the originals but you have a right to get a copy of an x-rays, reports, etc. Some offices may charge you.
Reply:x-rays belong to you if you paid your bill when they were x-ray-ed they may say that do not belong you but just remind the dentist that you paid your bill and that goes for all e-rays you get any where you get them
Reply:As so many have stated above, the x-rays belong to the DENTIST, but you have a right to request and receive a usable copy of those x-rays. The dentist has a right to charge a reasonable fee for making the copy.





In my state, the dentist can refuse to let you have a copy if you have not paid for the x-rays, but this is in conflict with HIPAA regulations which do not require payment.
Reply:Personally I believe they should be your property since you paid for them but that isn't how it works. If you want your property back (xrays) you normally have to pay a fee for them %26amp; even at that they usually aren't released to you but another dentist.