Patients in North Dakota will soon experience improved access to their dental records, thanks to new measures discussed during a recent meeting of the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee. The committee focused on enhancing the existing law that mandates dentists to provide patients with their dental records at no cost.

Currently, while the law requires dentists to supply these records, delays can occur due to various reasons, such as dentists being out of the country or unresponsive. Although complaints about this issue are infrequent, they represent a significant portion of the concerns received by the board. To address this, the committee proposed a change that emphasizes timely communication. If a dentist cannot provide the records within ten days, they must send a written notice to the patient explaining the delay and the expected timeline for when the records will be available.

This adjustment aims to alleviate potential complications for patients who may need their records for treatment with a new dentist. Delays in obtaining records can lead to unnecessary costs and hinder timely dental care, as new dentists often require access to previous x-rays and treatment history before proceeding with care.

The committee also discussed the challenges that arise during transitions of dental practice ownership, where records may not be properly maintained or transferred. While the board does not proactively monitor these transitions, they are prepared to intervene when patients report issues regarding record access.

Overall, these proposed changes are expected to enhance patient care and streamline the process of obtaining dental records, ultimately benefiting both patients and dental professionals in North Dakota. The committee is open to further discussions and testimonies to refine these measures, ensuring they effectively address the needs of the community.