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

> Adults generally require at least 7 years after discharge. Unemancipated-minor records must be kept at least 1 year after age 18 and never less than 7 years.

Last verified: 2026-06-09
Reviewed by: Mahtab Mansour, DDS on 2026-04-25 (re-verification in progress)

## 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.

## Common trap
- Do not answer from office habit, carrier advice, or a shorter internal policy. The statutory retention floor controls.

## Full guide
- [What California duties fall on the dental practice owner?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/practice-owner-duties/index.html.md): Use this guide when a question tests what the dentist or owner must set up, maintain, display, report, or supervise at the office level.

## Focused answer page
- [Focused answer](https://dentovio.com/answers/glossary-how-long-must-office-keep-patient-records/index.html.md): Short, source-bounded answer page for search and AI citation.
- [California law and ethics glossary answer topic](https://dentovio.com/answers/topic/california-law-ethics-glossary/index.html.md)

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

## Next step
- [Take the free diagnostic](https://dentovio.com/free-practice-test)
- [See the paid California prep overview](https://dentovio.com/products/california-dental-law-ethics/index.html.md)

## Related glossary pages
- [What notices and public disclosures must a California dental office post or display?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/what-notices-must-california-dental-office-post/index.html.md)
- [What is the current California breach-notice deadline for dental records incidents?](https://dentovio.com/guide/california-dentistry-law-ethics-exam/glossary/what-is-california-breach-notice-deadline/index.html.md)