Abstract

This article aims to discuss the legal limitations in processing personally identifiable health information contained in dental records. Dental records usually contain images such as panoramic radiographs, from which the patient’s anatomical information on the oral and maxillofacial region can be recognized. Recent development in data processing technology sug gests the possibility of enhanced chances of human identification from this information. To illustrate current privacy regulations related to the processing of information in dental records, relevant clauses in current laws including the Personal Information Protection Act and the Medical Service Act, as well as administrative guidelines and court cases were collected and analyzed. When using dental records as evidence in trial or alternative dispute resolution, the information should be within the scope of the disputed issues and the person submitting the records must have a legitimate ground to retain the record. When processing personally identifiable information from dental records for research purposes, adequate pseudonymization is required. Considering the possible expansion of the scope of personally identifiable information and the limitations in conducting research with highly pseudonymized images, it is necessary to raise awareness within the dental society of the current pri vacy regulations, while also relaxing regulations in accordance with technological developments.