Minnesota Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam

For how long must written authorization forms be kept?

1. 1 year

2. 2 years

3. 3 years

4. As long as the patient is active

The correct answer is: 2 years

The correct answer is that written authorization forms must be kept for a duration of 2 years. This aligns with Minnesota's dental record retention laws, which stipulate that dental practices are required to maintain patient records for a specific period to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to protect both the patient and the provider. Retention of authorization forms is essential for documenting informed consent and ensuring that all treatments are carried out with the patient's understanding and agreement. Keeping these forms for at least 2 years helps guarantee that the practice can verify consent if any disputes arise, thereby promoting transparency and legal protection for both parties involved. While some might think that records should be kept only as long as the patient is active or may suggest shorter time frames, the 2-year minimum is specifically defined to safeguard against potential legal issues. This time frame is typically regarded as sufficient to provide an adequate record for any follow-up inquiries and to meet regulatory expectations.