Access to X-rays?

Recently, I'd gone to a dentist, and the dental technician took X-rays of my teeth, to include my: incisors, canines, bicuspids and molars. She didn't do a very thorough job! I know that she didn't do her job properly, and I wanted to know if I could get the origional X-rays or at least a copy of them.

Thanks again for your serious reply, it is truely appreciated.

P.S. Is there a law or statue in North Carolina that would allow me access to my X-rays? If not, are there any Federal laws that this may fall under?

I have to ask what the person above me asked. What makes you think she didn't do her job right? Are you an x-ray expert? I dont mean that in a nasty way, but seriously, if I went to a mechanic, I wouldn't have any right to say they weren't doing their job right when I know nothing about auto mechanics. Same thing with dentistry. If you have no personal knowledge of taking dental x-rays, how do you know she didn't do it right? Perhaps your mouth is difficult to take x-rays in, and she did the best she could. Even if you did get the x-rays, how would you know if they were done properly? Would you even know how to read a dental x-ray?

Well, as another said, the originals belong to the dentist. You can get a copy of the x-rays, but they have the right to charge you for the copies. You can look this up on your states dental board website and you should be able to find the exact state law that tells you this. I know that my states dental board has this on their website.

It just amazes me to hear someone say they know a dental ASSISTANT (Were not called technicians!) didn't do her job properly, yet they have never been an assistant and have no personal knowledge of what PROPERLY even is.

You should be allowed a copy of your films( I am an x-ray tech). The originals will be kept as a part of your medical records,dental. One thing that is important to know, when dealing with imaging in general, the films used are not yours, they are the property of the facility that produced them, but, there is no reason that they should not give you a copy, you are entitled by law to have access to your charts and images.

usually if you go to the dentist office they can give you a copy if you ask for them.

ask and you'll be given!

no worrys.

My first question is why do you feel that she did not do a good job, or her job properly? My second question is are you a dental professional?

To your question, the original x-rays and you obtaining them are out of the question. The law in each state is different, however dentists should keep a copy of all x-rays for seven to ten years. The dentist can get into serious trouble for billing for x-rays that they don't have in their files. You can however get a copy of your x-rays. The office may charge you a duplicating fee, but you have a right to access your dental/medical info. under the HIPAA law. Even if you owe a balance at this office they can't legally with-hold your info even if you don't pay for work completed. (though I don't rec'd this) You need to contact this office, sign an x-ray release form, pay whatever their duplicating fee is and move on. In the mean-time you may want to examine why you feel like the "tech" did not do her job. If it is a true case of a dental professional not doing their job, and not just your opinion, then you may want to talk to the dentist, face to face directly about why this particular employee did not do her job properly, if in fact this is the case.