Moving is one of the most challenging and stressful things to go through, but even more so if you’re moving far away from your current home. If you’re moving out of state or several hours away from where you once lived, you’ll have to find new schools, doctors, tax professionals, veterinary teams, and dentists. But you’ll need more than a new team of professionals.

If you want to ensure you’re receiving the best care possible, you need to reach out to your medical teams for access to things like your medical and dental records. Without these, you may find yourself not making the progress you want or need to protect yourself from the worsening of oral health conditions. But this can be a stressful task to add to your list.

In this blog, we’ll help you learn how to transfer your dental records during a move to ensure you’re receiving the best dental care possible, even with a new team. 

Why Transferring Your Dental Records Matters When Moving

As you prepare for your move, you may be on the fence about transferring your dental records. You may not think of this as an important step in an already busy period of your life. However, even if you have a relatively simple dental history, providing a new team with access to your dental records is an essential part of continuing care. 

Your records are essential for maintaining continuity of care. When you see your new dentist, they can see exactly what treatment you were undergoing and continue this treatment path. Additionally, it saves you money, as your new team won’t have to retake X-rays or scans. It also allows the team to track your treatment progress.

While it can be tempting to simply start up fresh with a new dental team, it is always best to give them all of the necessary medical information to provide you with the best care possible. If you want to ensure your long-term success with your new team, it is best to reach out to your previous team to get access to your records. 

What Dental Records Should You Request Before Relocating?

Before moving, it is important to know which dental records you should request from your current dentist. These records give your new team a better understanding of your dental history and any treatments you may need in the future. Start by requesting your most recent dental X-rays, examination notes, treatment history, and a copy of your dental chart. 

If you have undergone procedures such as root canals, crowns, or dental implants, make sure to include those records as well. Additionally, if you have any ongoing oral health concerns or are currently receiving treatment, ask your dentist for detailed notes about your progress and recommended next steps. 

Having all of these essential documents readily available can help your new dentist avoid unnecessary tests, identify potential concerns, and develop a personalized treatment plan. By gathering your dental records before relocating, you can make the transition to your new dental team much smoother.

Finding a New Dentist in the Asheville-Mills River Area

Finding a new dentist can be incredibly difficult, especially if you’ve been seeing the same dental team for many years. However, taking special care during this process can help you ensure you’re partnering with a reliable new team for your long-term care. To begin this process, it is always best to start by asking friends and family for recommendations. 

If you are moving to a new area where you don’t know anyone, check out patient reviews and testimonials for dentists in the Mills River area. This will give you a good idea of what a visit with the team may look like. If you’ve found a team that looks like they may be a good fit, check the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners website to verify licensure. 

Finally, if you’re still on the fence, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team. They can answer any questions you may have directly, and give you a better idea of what the customer experience will look like. With all of this information, you should be able to confidently book an appointment and begin the process of transferring your dental records.

How to Request and Transfer Your Dental Records to a New Dentist

If you are moving, you likely have a lot on your plate. However, it is important that your dental records don’t get lost in the midst of your move. Transferring your dental records is an essential part of your to-do list before the move. But what exactly needs to be done? The first step is to find a reliable dental team, and this must be done before moving forward.

From this point, reach out to the new dental team to ask what specific files they need for your file and how they would like to receive them. Then, you will need to call your previous dental office and ask for record release forms. These will need to be signed and dated to authorize the transfer of your sensitive medical information.

During this, you can specify what information to include in their release. Your dental team may charge a small fee for this transfer, so it is important to double-check this information. Once this is finished, it may take up to two weeks for this information to be transferred. To finish this process, contact your new office to confirm the delivery of your dental records. 

Tips for Maintaining Continuity of Care During Your Move

It is incredibly important that you do everything in your power to create a seamless transition between care, even during a move. During this high stress period of your life, your oral hygiene habits may be pushed aside, leading to a risk of developing cavities and gum disease. If you want to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible, make sure to do the following: 

• Request a full copy of your dental records, including your charts, treatment history, and recent X-rays from your dental team. 
• If you’ve already found a new dentist, submit all required written consent forms to authorize the transfer of your information to your new provider. 
• Talk to your dentist about obtaining a referral or detailed notes if you are currently undergoing treatment for any conditions. 
• If you haven’t found a dental team, begin searching for a new Mills River dentist, especially if you’re undergoing current treatment. 
• Verify that your chosen dental provider also accepts your dental insurance to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. 
• Schedule a new patient exam with your new team to establish care and discuss your recent oral health history. 
• If possible, complete any major procedures, including crowns, fillings, and root canals, before transferring to a new office. 

New to Mills River, NC? Turn to Our Team for Support

If you’ve just moved to the Mills River area and you’re looking for a reliable dental team to support you and your family on their oral health journey, our Mills River Family Dental team is here and ready to help. We’ve provided comprehensive, reliable dental care to patients for over 20 years. With this extensive experience, we’re confident that there is no oral health complication too difficult for us to tackle.

Leading every appointment with patience and compassion, we’re dedicated to making this transition as easy on you as possible. Whether you need a simple dental cleaning or you’re undergoing comprehensive dental treatments to help you achieve your best oral health, we’re here to support you through it all.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team today or if you need help transferring your dental records, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.