Patients are working to obtain their dental records after a DentalWorks location in Winston-Salem, N.C., closed unexpectedly, the Greensboro News & Record reported Sept. 3.
A notice on the office's door states that the office is closed permanently. A phone number was listed for patients to call about their records, but that number is reportedly to a billing agency. The practice's phone number is also not taking any more messages.
Neither patients or the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners were informed of the closure, the News & Record reported.
The News & Record contacted the practice's owner and the DentalWorks brand for more information, but did not hear back.
Bobby White, the CEO and legal counsel for the state dental board, told the News & Record that dentists are required to provide records within 30 days of a patient's request. He added that patients can contact the board to file a complaint if they experience difficulties retrieving records.
The DentalWorks brand is a subsidiary of Sonrava Health and has more than 140 offices in 13 states.
"DentalWorks is coordinating with the North Carolina Dental Board to ensure patients have access to the records and information they need," a spokesperson for Sonrava Health said in a statement sent to Becker's. "DentalWorks is no longer affiliated with the practice that previously provided care at the Winston-Salem office location, Dr. R. Edward Mooring, Jr. & Associates, P.A. Patients in need of their treatment records should contact the North Carolina Dental Board at (919) 678-8223."