title: Guarding the files: your role in maintaining the confidentiality of patient records.
abstract: Dentists have serious ethical and legal responsibilities to keep patient records confidential. A carefully drafted release, tailored to the requirements of the jurisdiction in which the dentist practices, should protect the dentist, while giving the patient control over his or her health information.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Ill 60611, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sfikas
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003792:Dental Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016365:Liability, Legal; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States