I recently changed dentists and thought it would be beneficial to have the family's dental records sent to the new dentist (to cut a long story short)… I got a bill (with just my name on it) from my old dentist saying I had to pay $8.80 in fees. I was a little annoyed (thinking they shouldn't be charging me for something that is rightfully mine) but oh well… it is only $8.80 but… "I better just ring them to check that it does include all three of us" before I pay it… now this is the bit that really got me… The old dentist can't release my daughters' records until they sign their own release form… "as they are 14, they are legally old enough to visit the dentist on their own" which seems really bizarre to me considering (I don't know about other states but) in Victoria, a child is not able to work until they reach the age of 15 so… "hello… who pays the bills"???
Sorry… rant over!!
Transferring personal records to new dentist
Mary Poppins on 23/02/2015 - 00:49
Last edited 23/02/2015 - 00:55
Last edited 23/02/2015 - 00:55
Comments
Sounds odd. Surely kids can't sign any 'legal' document without parental consent, including authorisations concerning their medical records? Fee is reasonable enough (surprisingly).
This is an extract from the ADA on Dental Records:
5 b
Substitute decision maker
If the patient is a child or under the care of a legal guardian or substitute decision maker, the
dental record should contain the name, address and contact details of the parent, guardian
or substitute decision maker and the relationship of the substitute decision maker to the patient.Vague, but suggests to me the parent ought to be the final arbiter.
Not strictly true, kids younger than that are able to work under some circumstances (if it's for the family business, for example). But anyways, back to the point of your post, given that they're charging you almost $10 make sure that said records include any x-rays that have ever been taken (these days they will be digital images) on a CD, including the dates they were taken. This is arguably one of the most important/informative parts of the records. It will show the new dentist what the 'real' history of any imperfections/ work done etc. is.