# How long must a California dental office keep patient records when the office closes?

Answer: Adult records must be preserved for at least 7 years after discharge. Unemancipated-minor records must be preserved for at least 1 year after age 18 and never less than 7 years. Office closure does not erase the retention floor or the owner's responsibility to manage access.

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Answer intent ID: `glossary-how-long-must-office-keep-patient-records`
Cluster: California law and ethics glossary Q&A
Last verified: 2026-06-09T00:00:00.000Z
Reviewed by: Mahtab Mansour, DDS on 2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z

## Direct answer

Adult records must be preserved for at least 7 years after discharge. Unemancipated-minor records must be preserved for at least 1 year after age 18 and never less than 7 years. Office closure does not erase the retention floor or the owner's responsibility to manage access.

## Query patterns

- How long must a California dental office keep patient records when the office closes?
- Record retention on closure
- California closure-retention rules for adult and minor patient records.
- Record retention on closure California dental law and ethics

Source citations:
- `A10` HSC section 123145 record preservation on closure. Primary. Verified 2026-03-23. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC&sectionNum=123145.>
- `B4` Board office-closure practical guidance. Secondary. Verified 2026-03-23. <https://www.dbc.ca.gov/formspubs/newsletter_2025_11.pdf>

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- [/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/what-is-california-breach-notice-deadline](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/what-is-california-breach-notice-deadline)

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