New dentist not giving me old x-rays?

my old dentist recently sold his practice, including patient records. i want my x-rays from the new dentist so that i can take them another dentist i go to now, but she has been very delinquent in returning calls and getting back to me. since the x-rays are technically mine, what action can i take -- e.g. file a complaint with the ADA. i live in california.

New dentist not giving me old x-rays?
Call them and have them sent to your new dentist along with your files or have your new dentist call them instead. Why do you need them when you need to get x-rays done every year anyhow.
Reply:Yes, and threaten to take your case Federal ... She is violating the HIPAA act!!! (Health Care Information Portability and Accountability Act)
Reply:The xrays are NOT yours, and if you read your question you will answer it at the same time. The new dentist had to purchase the new practice, including records which include your xrays. Many dentists now charge to get the records released and transferred. There is no action you can take, other than going to this dentists office and doing a face to face request, filling out a records release form, and possibly paying the fee to get the records transferred.
Reply:Unfortunately the x-rays are not yours - The copyright lies with the photographer (or radiographer - your dentist). Unless agreed otherwise when the x-ray was taken.





You could ask nicely - You could even offer to pay for them.





nb - This is why newspapers do not need the permission of everyone in a football crowd before they can run a photograph of a game.
Reply:as a dental hygienist, i know that you can recieve copies of your xrays. you need to go to this office and tell them you want copies. they may make you pay a small fee. if this still dosent work, call your insurance company and tell them of the problem you are having. they may be willing to pay for another panoramic xray, or full series if you cannot get them from this dentist.
Reply:Press the dentist for your belongings, you paid for them and YES by all means you should have a copy of them for yourself if for nothing else. They must comply in a timely manner. Take this as far as you can and trust me, they will release your dental records to you if you push. Good Luck
Reply:Hold old are they? If they are over two years old then they are of no use to the new dentist and you need new ones. Insurances cover new full mouth x-rays every two years. Talk to your new dentist and see if they will contact the old new dentist office. If they won't, then get another new dentist. Also, bite wing x-rays are great for a more frequent check and are covered every six months under most insurances. If you and your new dentist can't get the old x-rays, at least have new bitewings done. I doubt the new dentist will want to hear that you called the ADA on your old dentist, so if you do, don't mention it to him. Dentists don't like being pushed around over such things and chances are, the old dentist thinks you want to sue him for one reason or another and has probably already turned your claim into their insurance for them to handle.
Reply:Have your new dentist phone and request their transfer. If necessary offer to pay for the courier / mail and / or phone charge.


You have paid to have the xrays so yes they are rightfully yours.
Reply:Every dental clinic must keep patient records and we are not supposed to find/ give them to anyone. All u can do is u can go to the dental association/consul there and ask the laws about it. Here, in my region, for protecting my work-i want dental councils orders if a patient wants her/his personal x-rays etc. Once we give the x-rays or records, and if the new dentist blame us with something then we have no proof on hand. So patient records are usually something about laws.
Reply:Just call them and be really nice although your really mad
Reply:he should give you copies of your xrays. the bitewing xrays over a year old aren't considered current and the new dentist would retake them anyways but the panelipse or full mouth xray as you said is only covered every 5 years and it's ever so important that you have that. i would contact the office one last time and then go to your state ADA and file a complaint. they will certainly try to help.
Reply:It would be a violation of HIPPA if they release any records to anyone. Therefore send a certified letter with a signed release requestion, forwarding any and all records and xrays to your new dentist. or legal issues will be pending. If they decline after sending certified requst of tranfer of records, seek legal action. Those records technically do belong to you.