(a) Upon the request of a patient or authorized agent of a patient, a dentist shall promptly release to the patient or his or her authorized agent legible and accurate copies of all records of the patient regardless of how they are generated or maintained. The reasonable costs of reproducing copies shall not be more than the amounts authorized by statute and in the absence of any statutory authority no more than the actual cost of the reproduction.
(b) The release of records under this section shall not be made contingent upon the payment of any fee or charge owed by the patient.
(c) The provisions of the section shall survive the closing of a dental office or practice for any reason, including, but not limited to, sale of practice, any disciplinary action, retirement, disability, or death.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 34 - Professions and Businesses.
Chapter 9 - Dentists and Dental Hygienists.
Article 1 - General Provisions.
Section 34-9-2 - Legislative Findings.
Section 34-9-3 - License or Permit Required to Practice Dentistry.
Section 34-9-4 - License Required to Practice Dental Hygiene or Expanded Duty Dental Assisting.
Section 34-9-6 - What Constitutes Practice of Dentistry.
Section 34-9-6.1 - Mobile Dental Facilities or Portable Dental Operations.
Section 34-9-7 - Exemption of Certain Practices and Operations.
Section 34-9-7.1 - Exemption of Participation in Continuing Education Course.
Section 34-9-7.2 - Registration of a 501(c)(3) Entity.
Section 34-9-8 - Dental Facility Teaching Permits; Dental Facility Special Teaching Permits.
Section 34-9-10 - Application; Licensure by Credentials; Special Purpose License.
Section 34-9-11 - Examination of Applicants; Issuance of Licenses.
Section 34-9-12 - Recording, Reporting Requirements.
Section 34-9-13 - License and Registration Certificates to Be Kept in Office of Practitioner.
Section 34-9-14 - Change of Address Generally.
Section 34-9-15 - Annual Registration; Continuing Education.
Section 34-9-15.1 - Release of Records.
Section 34-9-16 - Fee Schedule.
Section 34-9-17 - Use of Names.
Section 34-9-18 - Grounds for Disciplinary Action.
Section 34-9-19.1 - Advertising - Dental Referral Service; Requirements; Prohibitions; Penalties.
Section 34-9-21 - Employing Services of Commercial Dental Laboratory or Private Technician.
Section 34-9-23 - Title and Letters Signifying Degree.
Section 34-9-25 - Judicial Review of Orders of Board.
Section 34-9-26 - Examination, Qualifications, Licensing, etc., of Dental Hygienists.
Section 34-9-27 - Employment, Supervision, and Practice of Dental Hygienists.
Section 34-9-28 - Notification of Change of Address or Employer; Annual Registration Requirements.
Section 34-9-29 - Injunctions Against Violations of Chapter.