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(a)A Texas dental licensee practicing dentistry in Texas shall make, maintain, and keep adequate records of the diagnoses made and the treatments performed for and upon each dental patient for reference, identification, and protection of the patient and the dentist. Adequate records are records from which diagnoses can be made and which clearly and accurately document all of the facts related to the treatment of a dental patient, including diagnoses, services, treatments and progress of care. Records shall be kept for a period of not less than five (5) years. (b)The term "dental records" includes, but is not limited to documentation of: identification of practitioner providing treatment; medical and dental history; limited physical examination; x-rays and radiographs; dental and periodontal charting; diagnoses made; treatment plans; informed consent statements or confirmations; study models, casts, molds, impressions; cephalometric diagrams; narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, controlled substances dispensed, administered or prescribed; anesthesia records; pathology and medical laboratory reports; progress and completion notes; materials used; dental laboratory prescriptions; billing and payment records; appointment records; consultations and recommended referrals; and post treatment recommendations. (c)The dispensing, administering, or prescribing of narcotic drugs, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances to or for a dental patient shall be made a part of such patient's dental record. The entry in the patient's dental record shall be in addition to any record keeping requirements of the DPS or DEA prescription programs. All such drugs and substances which are kept in the dental office or under the control of the dentist are to be maintained by a centralized inventory which shall indicate dates acquired, description and quantity of drugs, date, method, quantity dispensed, and the patient to whom the drug is dispensed. (d)All records pertaining to Controlled Substances and Dangerous Drugs shall be maintained in accordance with the Texas Controlled Substances Act. (e)Dental records are the sole property of the dentist who performs the dental service. Such records shall be available for inspection by the patient after and upon appointment with a dentist. This shall not prohibit the transfer of a copy of records to the patient, or to an agreed designated consultant for ascertainment of facts, nor transfer of original records to another Texas dental licensee who will provide treatment to the patient. The transferring dentist shall retain a copy of the written record if such original transfer is made. (f)A dentist who leaves a location or practice, whether by retirement, sale, transfer, termination of employment or otherwise, shall either maintain all dental records belonging to him or her, make a written transfer of records to the succeeding dentist, or make a written agreement for the maintenance of records, and the State Board of Dental Examiners shall be notified within fifteen (15) days of any such event, giving full information concerning the dentists and location(s) involved. A maintenance of records agreement shall not transfer ownership of the dental records, but shall require: that the dental records be maintained in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the Rules of the State Board of Dental Examiners; and that the dentist(s) performing the service(s) recorded shall have access to and control of the records for purposes of inspection and copying. A transfer of records may be made by agreement at any time in an employment or other working relationship between a dentist and another entity. Such transfer of records may apply to all or any part of the dental records generated in the course of the relationship, including future dental records. (g)Dental records shall be made available for inspection and reproduction on demand by the officers, agents, or employees of the State Board of Dental Examiners. The patient's privilege against disclosure does not apply to the Board in a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under the Dental Practice Act. (h)A dentist shall furnish copies of dental records to a patient who requests his or her dental records. Requested copies including radiographs shall be furnished within thirty (30) days of the date of the request, provided however, that copies need not be released until payment of copying costs has been made. Records may not be withheld based on a past due account for dental care or treatment previously rendered to the patient. (1)A dentist providing copies of patient dental records is entitled to a reasonable fee for copying which shall be no more than $25 for the first 20 pages and $0.15 per page for every copy thereafter. (2)Fees for radiographs, which if copied by an x-ray duplicating service, may be equal to actual cost verified by invoice. (3)Reasonable costs for radiographs duplicated by means other than by an x-ray duplicating service shall not exceed the following charges: (A)a full mouth series: $15.00; (B)a panoramic x-ray: $15.00; (C)a lateral cephalogram: $15.00; (D)a single extra-oral x-ray: $5.00; (E)a single intra-oral x-ray: $5.00. (4)State agencies and institutions will provide copies of dental health records to patients who request them following applicable agency rules and directives.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on January 31, 2001
TRD-200100571 Jeffry R. Hill
Executive Director
State Board of
Dental Examiners
Effective date: February 20, 2001
Proposal publication date: September 22, 2000
For further information, please call: (512) 463-6400
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