Can I ask my dentist for my x-rays

lolly5648

I go to a private dentist and recently had an OPG x-ray and a cone beam CT scan of my mouth. I am not happy with the dentist's attitude or manner and wish to go to another dentist.

If you go to see a consultant surgeon privately I know that you can take your x-rays away with you so can I request these x-rays from my dentist or can they refuse to give them to you?

Toothsmith

They are part of your notes, and really the property of the dentist.

In the case of action against a dentist - the x-rays can be part of his defence, or indeed part of the case against him, so it s vital that they are kept safe.

Giving them to the patient means that they could be lost or damaged, which wouldn't be much good in either case.

You could request copies, but you would have to pay 'reasonable costs' in getting them copied.

It's possible that when you see your new dentist that he could request that the notes and/or x-rays from your old dentist. again though, it's possible a copying fee might be involved.

LondonDiva

What toothsmith said - NHS records belong to the Secretary of State for Health & private ones to the practice.

Your right to a copy comes under the Data Protection Act - but you would be liable for copying costs.