Who owns the original dental radiographs?

The original dental radiographs are considered to be owned by the dentist because they are typically created as part of the dental treatment process and are viewed as the dentist's property. Legal and ethical guidelines, as well as the policies of many dental practices, establish that while patients have the right to access their radiographs and can request copies, the original images remain in the possession of the dentist. This ownership allows the dentist to maintain a record of the patient’s dental history, facilitating ongoing care and treatment decisions.

However, it is also important to note that patients have a personal interest in their own dental records and may have rights to access and obtain copies for their personal files, as dictated by healthcare laws in various regions. Thus, while patients can have rights regarding their radiographic images, the ownership of the originals remains with the dentist, making them accountable for the proper management and use of that information.