For the record. Understanding patient recordkeeping.

Patient recordkeeping is a vast and complex topic. However, by knowing the basics and following the path of least risk, a dentist will find that many practice problems and unwanted complications disappear. The article here explains what the patient record is; why it is maintained and for how long; what it should or should not contain; how to dispose of the record upon retirement, sale of a practice or death, and what to do when a patient wants a copy of the record.