Dental records

[Lostris]

Does anyone know how long a uk dentist would keep a patients records for? and is if they still have them is it possible to see them?

I ask because i am interested to know which teeth my dentist 14/15 years ago said needed filling (I refused treatment) so that i can compare it with the teeth i am currently having filled. I have great suspisions that he had overtreated me and was trying to again and would like to be able to put my mind at rest.

 

[littlestar88]

Im guessing they must be about somewhere. Only because (and i hate to sound so morbid) they can use them to identify bodies. Sorry i don't know the answer but i'll be interested to find out.

Wouldnt it be interesting if the good folk on CSI and such were confronted with a dental phobic to identify! Bet that would annoy them!

 

[Gordon]

I think the current regs are that the records are held until 7 years after the patient reaches 18. You can do the maths yourself. It's possible that the dentist in question held onto them for longer, you'll never know unless you ask.

 

[Lostris]

Thanks Gordon,

guess im about 4 years too late then . Will see if i can get my dad to ask them, hes still a patient there. I cant face it at the moment, too many bad memories

 

[littlestar88]

They should still have mine then! Although they recently went from NHS to private and lost my mums records in the upheaval so im not holding my breath.