# Identification using dental records **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 30, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-using-dental-records/562378 "2010-11-30T05:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-using-dental-records/562378/21 "2010-11-30T21:14:17Z")
Interestingly enough each state has different requirements to how long dental records must be maintained. So far I found Florida has only 4 years (from date of entry) and Oregon has seven years. Also different rules apply to patients being treated under state and federal programs, like public aid and medicare. The ADA _ **recommends** _ all children’s dental records be maintained till that child would reach age 25. With computers it obviously is much easier now. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-using-dental-records/562378/22 "2010-11-30T21:21:34Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > Having said that, the woman in **enipla** ’s [sad thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=586906) was identified in 24 hours\* using dental records, so it happens quickly sometimes. > > \*Or at least, that was time it took for the story about her disappearing to change to “Her body has been identified using dental records”. Yeah, that’s an excellent example - obviously you’d check the person who went missing from that house right there first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identification-using-dental-records/562378.md?page=1)