patient’s record until the record is returned. By using different colored chargeout guides to denote the day or week that a record is charged out from the file, a quick reference is provided. Records Review Also included in your duties for the upkeep of dental  records  is  records  review.  You  may  be responsible to identify inactive records, verify records, and to process dental records that are illegible or contaminated. INACTIVE   RECORDS.—Dental records become eligible for retirement because of inactivity. However, allowances will be made for longer sponsor tours  of  duty,  extensions  of  the  sponsor’s  projected rotation  date,  and  back-to-back  tours  of  duty  in  the same area. Problems arise as a result of premature retirement of a dental record of a patient who has not requested treatment during the previous 2-year period. Dental records are not retired without an attempt to verify the sponsor’s duty status and location. To retire records, you should use MANMED, Article 16-20. VERIFICATION   OF   RECORDS.—Dental records   should   be   verified   for   accuracy   when transferred, retired, or at other times as directed by the director of the DTF. At these times, records should be reviewed  for  proper  identification,  placement  of forms, and completion of the record jacket according to MANMED, Chapter 6. Listed below are some of the specifics  of  record  verification  procedures  that  you will look at: Verify  the  record  with  the  patient  present,  if possible. Cross-check   the   military   patient’s   name   or sponsor’s name against a current roster of the patient’s or sponsor’s last known unit. This is essential. Verify that the Privacy Act statement has been signed. Verify that pencil entries are complete and accurate. Verify the treatment plan is current (i.e., the treatment plan is not over 12 months old). Appoint the patient for treatment if the patient is dental class 3. Appoint the patient for a T-2 examination if the patient is dental class 1 or 2 and 12 months or more have elapsed since the last T-2 examination. ILLEGIBLE  OR  CONTAMINATED DENTAL  RECORDS.—For   individual   records, duplicate dental record forms whenever they approach a  state  of  illegibility  or  deterioration  or  become contaminated, and the future use or value as permanent records is endangered. The duplicate forms must be a reproduction of the original as much as possible. Enter the designation DUPLICATE RECORD on the front of the NAVMED 6150/21-30 above the block Dental Treatment Record when the entire contents of a dental record is duplicated. Use bold writing to make it stand out. When only part of the dental record is duplicated, identify the individual forms as DUPLICATE at the bottom of each form. MANMED, Article 16-19 provides further guidance on illegible or contaminated dental records. REQUEST   FOR   MEDICAL/DENTAL RECORDS   INFORMATION.—Occasionally, dental  records  may  be  left  behind  at  a  members previous duty station. Some commands may elect to mail  dental  records  to  the  next  duty  station  for personnel who transfer. Whatever the case may be, the Request  for  Medical/Dental  Records  or  Information Form, DD 877, is used as shown in figure 2-12. The requesting  DTF  will  complete  blocks  1  through  10, (except 8b) and block 19. The DTF who receives the DD 877 will retrieve and verify the requested dental record(s) and will complete blocks 8b and blocks 11 through 14 or 15 through 18. The requesting DTF will keep the top copy and the DTF who retrieves the dental record will keep the second copy. Files are set up for the DD 877 and arranged in alphabetical order. The DD 877 is sent via U.S. Mail. TRANSFER OF THE DENTAL RECORD The following procedures are designed to protect against loss or misfiling of the dental record during transfer  between  treatment  facilities  without jeopardizing the interest of the individual or the federal government. Temporary Transfers, Active Duty When a dental record is transferred temporarily to another activity (e.g., for consultation or specialty treatment), follow the procedures discussed in the internal chargeout control section in this chapter. HANDCARRYING  PERSONAL  DENTAL RECORD.—Patients   frequently   handcarry   their dental  records  when  they  have  an  appointment  external to the record keeping DTF. If resources and time 2-20