Changing over to a new dentist
Always make your dentist aware that you are leaving their practice and on to pastures new. Just give them a call and let them know you will not be in need of their services any more in the long-term. Just like switching to a new doctor, your records have to transfer over to the new dentist. Many dentists will take care of this for you though do check this all over in advance.
Transferring your dental records over
This is something that most people are unsure about when looking for new dentists. In this section, we shall explain everything to do with transferring your dental records. Original dental documents belong to dentists who provide dentist treatments, and not the patients.This is due to the fact that dentists have to store all their records as per the rules of their provincial dental regulatory body, which stipulate the kind of records to be kept and for how long.
After you choose a dentistry service, you can request your former dentist to transfer a copy of the records to your new dentist. This process involves signing a release form and paying administrative fees, which are part of the transfer procedures.
Getting access to your records
When looking for a new dentistry service, it is paramount to know all your rights concerning dental records. As a patient, you own all information contained in your previous patient charts. Furthermore, all the dentists you have ever visited should give you access to a copy of your complete dental record. In detail, this is one of the legal rights you have.
Additionally, the law bars dentist from withholding patients’ records even if there is money owed because of dental work rendered. This means that fee disputes and other disagreements between dentists and patients should not be grounds of withholding the transfer of, or access to, patients’ records.
Overall
There’s a “file” on you at your dentist’s office: Every visit you’ve made—from regular cleanings to major dental work—has been recorded, noted and preserved for posterity. If that gives you the shivers, it’s actually not as “Big Brother” as it sounds. In fact, it’s critical to your continuing care. A busy dental office depends on accurate records to ensure their individual patients’ treatment strategies are up to date. They also contain key information about a patient’s overall health, which might overlap into their dental care. Your records are also important if you change providers, something that ultimately happens to most of us. Your dentist may retire or relocate (or you will). Or, unfortunately, you may grow dissatisfied with your care and seek out a new dental specialist.