Dental X-Ray - Complaint

nettlesoup

Recently I had to attend a different dentist to my own dentist because a front crown came loose and fell out. I no longer live in the same county as my own dentist becasue work circumstances have changed.

The new dentist re-inserted the crown and took an X-Ray of the tooth. From the X-Ray he was able to show me that the post could have been made longer which would secure the crown better to the remaining root. Fair enough. The bill included the cost of the X-Ray.

Because of the cost and fact that I had so many X-rays done over they years I rang the new dentist today and asked if i could have the X-Ray. I figure this might save another X-ray and additional cost.

The receptionist was not able to give me an answer there and then but did phone me back to say that they did not give out X-Rays but were willing to make a copy for around 6 euros. The copy would not be of the same quality and therefore would be of no use to me.

Are they right or would I be entitled to get my X-Ray after paying for it?

Can anybody advise?

ballsymchugh

they can't give you the x-ray as it forms part of your dental records. if someone from the radiological protection institute was to inspect the practice and ask for some records, and saw that you had an x-ray taken, they'll want to see that x-ray, otherwise you'd have been exposed to radiation for no reason. you've paid for the xrays as an aid to diagnosis, that's all an x-ray is, a 2d photo of what's going on. it just gives the dentist a better idea, but it's not the be all and end all.
if you pay the processing fees for copying the xray, leaving the surgery with the original, then there's no reason you can't have it.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I dont see why you canoot have it, they can keep a copy for themselves...

Phoenix Park

If you are going back to your old dentist (dunno if thats what you're doing) they may have taken an x ray themselves anyway after they cemented the post-that which is holding your crown in. To be honest, even a black and white computer print out will probably be enough for anyone to see if the post is long/short etc. ok it wont show the finer detail, but you might not really need the actual x ray yourself is
all the best

Also: agree with Fitz above, you can have the x ray if you want it, they can just write in the chart you asked for it and they gave it to you, they are not 100% obliged to keep it by the Rad society in this case