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Ethics & Law · single question

A patient's bill is due, but they request their dental records. What should the dentist do?

  1. Provide records immediately regardless of outstanding balance
  2. Refer the patient to a collections agency before releasing records
  3. Withhold records until payment is received
  4. Provide records but charge a copying fee
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Provide records immediately regardless of outstanding balance

  • A. Correct. Patients have a legal and ethical right to their dental records regardless of outstanding balances. Records must be provided. Financial disputes are handled separately (billing, collections) — they do not justify withholding patient records.
  • B. Referring to collections and withholding records are both inappropriate responses — records must be released.
  • C. Withholding records due to outstanding payment is unethical and potentially illegal — patients have a right to their records.
  • D. While charging a reasonable copying fee is sometimes permitted, the key principle is that records cannot be withheld due to non-payment.

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