Dental Records Retention Period — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

Correct answer: A — 11 years

The correct answer is A: 11 years. The current NHS England Records Management Code of Practice specifies an 11-year minimum retention period for dental clinical care records in all dental care settings. Retention normally begins when the record ceases to be operational. At the end of this period, the record must be reviewed and securely destroyed only if it is no longer required; 11 years is not an automatic destruction deadline. Two years applies to dental finance-related records, while six years reflects a general limitation period rather than the dental clinical-record schedule. Fifteen years was the previous requirement and was reduced to 11 years following legal advice in 2023. Indefinite retention is inconsistent with data-protection storage-limitation principles unless continued retention is specifically justified.

Reference: NHS England, Records Management Code of Practice, Appendix II: Retention schedule—Care records, section 'Dental records: clinical care records', updated 2026. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/information-governance/guidance/records-management-code-of-practice/appendix-ii/retention-schedule-care-records