Privacy Policy

This privacy notice sets out how Burgess Hill Dental Care LTD uses and protects any information that you give when joining the practice.

The practice is committed to complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, GDC, NHS and other standards.

The person responsible for Data Protection is Kate Taylor.

What type of information do we hold?

Personal details such as your address, date of birth, phone number and email address
This is for the provision of dental health care, providing treatment plans, estimates and recalls
Details of your NHS number and entitlement to healthcare treatment and exemption status if applicable
Personal details of family members or emergency contact details
Medical history including your GP’s name and address
Past and present dental history including x-rays and photographs
Information about the treatment we have proposed and provided along with its price
Notes of conversations or incidents that might occur for which a record needs to be kept
Records of permission or consent for treatment
Correspondence to other healthcare professions such as referrals
Financial information relating to your treatment
Details of any complaints made

Why do we need to keep this information?

We need to keep records of personal information regarding our patients in order to provide safe and appropriate dental care and treatment. It is also used to maintain accurate treatment records.

We also need to process personal data about you if we are providing care under NHS arrangements and to ensure the proper management and administration of the NHS.

Our legal basis for processing data is:

Consent
Legitimate interest – Processing is necessary for the performance of our care for patients and for defence of legal claims
Data relating to your health care records is classed as special category data. Our legal basis for processing this is that it falls under Legal claims or judicial acts and Health and Social Care (Article 9 UK GDPR (f,h))

What do we do with your information?

We will only share your information if it is done securely and it is necessary for us to do so.

Your personal information may be securely shared with other healthcare professionals who need to be involved in your care (for example if we refer you to a specialist, need laboratory work undertaken or need to consult with your doctor).

We may also share your personal information securely to third parties where we are required by law or regulation to do so. This may include:

The General Dental Council
The CQC/HIW/HIS/RQIA
Dental payment plans or insurers
NHS Bodies if NHS dental care and treatment is provided

How do we store your information?

Your information is stored securely at the practice. Computer information is backed up regularly and may be securely stored away from our premises.

Retention periods

We are required to retain your dental records, X-rays and study models while you are a patient of this practice and after you cease to be a patient for a minimum of 11 years.

There are several other documents that we may collect that have a variety of retention dates, for example the NHS PR form – used to declare payment exemptions – which needs to be kept for 2 years minimum. We have a retention schedule listing all documents and the timeframes for disposal. Retention periods may be changed from time to time based on business or legal and regulatory requirements.

Your rights under GDPR

Access

You have a right to access the information that we hold about you and to receive a copy. You can make a request by contacting your practice or by e-mailing.

Rectification

You have a right to correct any information that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Please contact your practice to request a change in information.

Erasure

You have a right to request that we delete your personal information, although you should be aware that, for legal reasons, we may be unable to erase certain information (for example, information about your dental treatment). Please contact your practice to make this request.

Restriction

You have the right to request us to restrict the processing of your personal information for example, sending you reminders for appointments or information about our service. Please contact your practice to make this request.

Portability

You have a right to data portability; this could include supplying your information to another dentist. Please contact your practice to make this request.

Concerns

If you have any concerns about how we use your information and you do not feel able to discuss it with your dentist or anyone at the practice, you can contact our Data Protection Officer via email at info@burgesshilldental.co.uk

You can also seek advice from The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, or start a live chat or call helpline on 0303 123 1113