Rules for Practice of Dentistry
Rules for the Practice of Dentistry in the state of Illinois
Dental patient record retention Illinois
ADA says that must be kept certain number years after adulthood of state so 18 in Illinois.
Even though we are totally digital, I still have to keep all these records for 10 years and some of the minors for almost 22 years.
What can you charge for dental records in Illinois?
In 2019 it is $28.44 for handling and .53 per digital page or $1.07 for paper. Each x-ray is a page. Fee drops after page 25. Have 30 days from time of written request, which can be email. If can’t get in 30 then need to send letter explaining why and then have up to 61 days.
Email for Pam
In Illinois these rights are outlined in the Code of Civil Procedure 735 ILCS 5/ Art VIII Part 20. Inspection of Records. Basically the Code states:
1. A practitioner (which includes a dentist) must provide copies of records upon a written request by the patient
2. The practitioner has 30 days to produce the information once the request is received. If for some reason the practitioner cannot produce them in 30 days, he/she must provide a written reason why they cannot provide the information within the 30 days and has up to a total of 60 days from the original request date to get the patient their copy.
3.
The practitioner must keep the original and can provide only copies of the record which includes but not limited to the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, history, charts, pictures and plates, kept in connection with the treatment of such patient.
4.
The practitioner can charge a duplication fee which is set by the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office. It is adjusted every January. http://illinoiscomptroller.gov/agencies/statutorily-required-reporting/copying-fees-adjustments/
5.
A practitioner cannot refuse to release records if the patient has a balance on services. This is a billing issue and must be addressed as such. However, the practitioner can hold the records until the duplication fee is paid.
Rules from Illinois Practice Act
Free examinations or x-rays means visit must be free.
(4) Advertise or offer gifts as an inducement to |
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How many dental hygienists can a dentist have working for him/her at one time?
4 – Answer is in Section 23
14. Permitting more than 4 dental hygienists to be |
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Dismiss a dental patient
The following are suggestions for a patient dismissal.
- Certified letter with return receipt.
- Date termination begins.
- Reason terminating
- Give reasonable amount of time willing to cover emergencies, which is often 30 days.
- Current condition, recommended treatment, and risks of not seeking treatment.
- State willing to transfer records.
- State how find a new doctor – tell them ISDS
- State how handle any financial issues.
Report a medical device Report issues with DIY orthodontics and night-guards
Only patients can report problems with aligners to state boards but anyone including dentists can report issues to the federal government in regards to patient safety. The website that lets you file a complaint is an FDA website. The website takes complaints about medical devices.
Can a patient keep their tooth?
Yes. Dentists act like only they can throw it away. Some claim it’s an OSHA violation but OSHA only cares about employee safety. They don’t care if you give a patient something. Others are concerned about infection control. They had it in their mouth 5 minutes ago but you’re worried about them holding it? We rinse off the blood and put in a small steri bag. Some disinfect it but that’s a waste of time too. Here is the quote from the CDC as well
“Yes, you may return extracted teeth to patients upon request. Once an extracted tooth is returned to a patient, it is no longer considered a potential risk to dental health care personnel and is no longer subject to the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.”
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