What legislation allows patients to access their records?

• A. Data Protection Act 1998
• B. Access to Health Records Act 1990
• C. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• D. Freedom of Information Act 2000

Answer: (B)

The right for patients to see what is written about them in their health records is established by the Access to Health Records Act 1990. This legislation gives individuals the ability to view and obtain copies of information held about their own health by health service bodies, including dental practices, such as notes, diagnoses, treatment plans, and radiographs, subject to safeguards to protect third‑party information or safety concerns. While other laws like the Data Protection Act also cover personal data generally, and the Freedom of Information Act deals with information held by public bodies, they do not provide the specific health-record access rights in the same focused way. The Health and Safety at Work Act isn’t about patient records at all. In practice, this act is the most direct legal basis for patients to access their health records in a dental setting.