How long after completion of treatment can study models/casts be provided to the patient?

The correct answer is that study models or casts can be provided to the patient up to one year after the completion of treatment. This aligns with regulations that govern the duration of retaining patient records and related documents in dental hygiene practice. The retention period is designed to ensure patients have adequate opportunity to receive their models or casts for personal, legal, or follow-up reasons after their treatment has concluded.

The one-year period reflects both the needs of the dental practice and the rights of the patient to access their treatment information, allowing for possible future references or disputes related to their care. This timeframe strikes a balance, as it is reasonably long enough for patients to request their models while allowing practices to manage their records efficiently. Generally, other durations such as two, three, or five years would either exceed necessary access requirements or complicate record-keeping beyond practical considerations.