I HAVE REQUESTED MY DENTAL XRAYS FROM A DENTIST. HE SAYS HE CAN SUPPLY
DUPLICATES AND NOT THE ORIGINALS. I AM THE PATIENT. I PAYED FOR THE
XRAYS. AM I ENTITLED TO THE ORIGINALS, IS THERE A PATIENT RIGHTS BILL
FOR DENTAL WORK. THANK YOU I RESIDE IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA.

No, you are not entitled to the originals, although you are entitled
to copies.

See the following sections of Florida law:

Florida Statutes 466.018(3)
"Every dentist shall maintain written dental records and medical
history records which justify the course of treatment of the patient.
The records shall include, but not be limited to, patient history,
examination results, test results, and, if taken, X rays."
http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0466/SEC018.HTM&Title=-%3E2002-%3ECh0466-%3ESection%20018

Florida Statutes 466.028(1)(n)
"[A dentist may be disciplined for f]ailing to make available to a
patient or client, or to her or his legal representative or to the
department if authorized in writing by the patient, copies of
documents in the possession or under control of the licensee which
relate to the patient or client."
http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0466/SEC028.HTM&Title=-%3E2002-%3ECh0466-%3ESection%20028

In other words, a dentist is required to keep all dental records,
including X-rays, but is required to provide a copy to the patient
upon request. There is no provision in law that requires the dentist
to provide a patient with the originals. The law doesn't clearly
address the subject of x-ray ownership, although they are clearly
under the dentist's control.

I hope this helps, even though it probably wasn't the answer you were
hoping for.

Best wishes,

mvguy-ga




Search strategy: I went to http://www.findlaw.com and used the menus
to find Florda state laws, then went to the section on professions,
then went to the section on dentists.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.