# California dental record retention requirements

Answer: California dental records generally have a 7-year adult floor, unemancipated minor records must be kept at least one year past age 18 and never less than 7 years total, and Medi-Cal records have a 10-year floor.

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Answer intent ID: `california-dental-record-retention-requirements`
Cluster: Practice operations and tools
Last verified: 2026-07-08
Reviewer: see source page

## Direct answer

California dental records generally have a 7-year adult floor, unemancipated minor records must be kept at least one year past age 18 and never less than 7 years total, and Medi-Cal records have a 10-year floor.

## Query patterns

- California dental record retention requirements
- how long keep dental records California
- California dentist patient records access deadline

Source citations:
- `A9` HSC section 123110 patient inspection, copies, form/format, fees, and unpaid-balance rule. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=123110.>
- `A10` HSC section 123145 record preservation on closure. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=123145.>
- `A48` SB 446 and Civil Code section 1798.82 California breach-notice update. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB446>
- `A67` WIC section 14124.1 Medi-Cal provider record retention. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=WIC&sectionNum=14124.1.>
- `B4` Dental Board office-closure practical guidance. <https://www.dbc.ca.gov/formspubs/newsletter_2025_11.pdf>

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