California compliance
California dental record retention requirements
The short version: 7 after discharge · 1 after 18 · 10 for Medi-Cal. The full timelines, with citations, are below. These are minimums — liability protection often calls for keeping records longer.
Minimum keep-times
| Patient type | Minimum retention | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Adult patients | At least 7 yearsMeasured from the date of discharge or last date of service. | Health & Safety Code §123145 |
| Unemancipated minors | At least 1 year past age 18 — never less than 7 years totalWhichever is longer: 7 years, or one year after the patient turns 18. | Health & Safety Code §123145 |
| Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal patients | At least 10 yearsFrom date of service, audit completion, or contract end — whichever is later. Overrides the generic 7-year floor. | Welfare & Institutions Code §14124.1 |
Access & response deadlines
| Action | Deadline | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Let a patient inspect their records | Within 5 working days of a written request | Health & Safety Code §123110 |
| Provide copies to a patient | Within 15 days of a written request | Health & Safety Code §123110 |
| Produce records on a Dental Board demand (with valid authorization) | Dentist: 15 days · Facility: 30 days | Business & Professions Code / HSC |
| Notify affected residents of a records breach | No later than 30 calendar days after discovery | Civil Code §1798.82 |
The 30-day breach-notification deadline reflects a 2026 change — see what changed.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do you have to keep dental records in California?
- California requires adult dental records to be kept at least 7 years from the last date of service (Health & Safety Code §123145). Records for unemancipated minors must be kept at least 1 year past the patient's 18th birthday, and never less than 7 years total. Medi-Cal (Denti-Cal) records must be kept at least 10 years (Welfare & Institutions Code §14124.1).
- How long do you keep minors' dental records in California?
- At least one year after the patient turns 18, and in no case less than 7 years total from the last date of service (Health & Safety Code §123145).
- How fast must a dentist provide records to a patient in California?
- A patient may inspect their records within 5 working days of a written request and must receive copies within 15 days (Health & Safety Code §123110).