Patient records are legal documents. Until what age must they be kept legally for a child patient?

Patient records for children are required by law to be retained for a specific duration after the patient reaches the age of majority, which is typically 18 years old in many jurisdictions. Therefore, in the context of dental care and many other healthcare fields, records for minor patients must often be kept for a minimum of a certain period following their 18th birthday to ensure that all relevant health information is accessible if needed later in life.

By legal standards, once the child reaches the age of 18, the records are to be maintained for an additional time frame, which in some areas may be up to 25 years. This extended retention period allows for situations where individuals may seek their medical history well into adulthood, especially for ongoing health assessments or medical decisions.

Understanding this legal requirement is critical for dental nurses and practitioners, ensuring compliance with regulations related to patient recordkeeping and safeguarding patient information over time.