When providing dental care and treatment for patients or offering professional referral and training services for dentists, we may request personal information about you and/or your health. Occasionally, we may receive information from other providers involved in patient care. This privacy notice outlines the type of personal information we hold, why we hold it, and how we use it.

ABOUT US

We are ‘Bristol Dental Specialists’ located at 24 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1HP. Bristol Dental Specialists Ltd is registered in England & Wales with company number 11696017. The practice owners are responsible for securely maintaining the information we hold about you. Those with access to your information at the practice include dentists, dental professionals involved in your care, and reception staff responsible for practice management.

PATIENTS – INFORMATION WE HOLD

We can only retain and use information for specific purposes outlined in the law. If we wish to keep and use information concerning your health, we can only do so under certain circumstances. Below, we detail the information we hold, why we hold it, and the lawful basis for collecting and using it.

Patient details: We hold personal information such as your name, date of birth, national insurance number, NHS number, address, telephone number, and email address. This data enables us to fulfill our contractual obligation to provide appointments, send reminders, and recall appointments. Dental records: This includes details about your dental and general health, clinical records, X-rays, photographs, digital scans, medical and dental histories, treatment plans, consent records, appointment dates, complaint details, and correspondence with you and other health professionals. Financial information: Information about fees charged, payments made, and some payment details is retained to meet our contractual and legal financial obligations.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

To provide necessary dental care and treatment, we require accurate and up-to-date information about you. We may contact you for patient surveys or to assess your satisfaction with treatment received. Your communication preferences regarding your dental care will be sought, with telephone, email, or letter being our usual contact methods. We may use your information for dental research or education purposes with your consent, and we’ll discuss this with you beforehand.

SHARING INFORMATION

Your information is typically used by those within the practice, but there may be instances where sharing is necessary – for example, with your doctor, hospital, community dental services, other health professionals, dental laboratories, debt collection agencies, or data processing partners and suppliers.

KEEPING YOUR INFORMATION SAFE

We store your information securely on our practice computer system and ensure that only authorized personnel have access. Precautions are taken to secure practice premises, filing systems, and computers. Cloud computing facilities are used for storing some information, with strict agreements in place with providers to maintain security. Records are retained for 10 years after your last visit to the practice or until you reach 25 years of age, whichever is longer.

ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION AND OTHER RIGHTS

You have the right to access and receive a copy of the information we hold about you. Requests for corrections, erasure, or restriction of information use can also be made. Consent withdrawal for specific purposes is possible, and you can request the transfer of your information to another dentist. Requests should be emailed to our Practice Manager, Charlotte Brophy, at [email protected].

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE

If you disagree with our use of your personal information, you should discuss it with your dentist. Objecting to our data collection and use may impact our ability to provide dental care. Concerns about our data practices can be addressed to The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Updated: 19-12-2019 ref MW WKD Review date: August 2020