Confidentiality

Diss Dental Care Centre

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a professional requirement imposed on us by the General Dental Council (GDC). The relationship between dentist and patient is based on the understanding that any information revealed by the patient will not be divulged without the patient’s consent. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. where a major crime is being investigated, or to comply with specific laws such as Road Traffic Acts or terrorism) are we allowed to divulge any information about patients without their specific consent.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2002, we have a “publication scheme” where we are obliged to supply to any interested party any information we may hold on them. Under the Date Protection Acts 1984 and 1998 we are obliged to safeguard the holding of personal data of our patients.

This practice has adopted the following three principles of confidentiality:

Personal information about a patient is confidential to those providing healthcare
It should only be provided to those who would be unable to provide effective care without that information (Need-to-Know)
Information should not be disclosed to third parties without consent of the patient except in the circumstances set out in the first paragraph

What this means to you:

Records should be kept secure and in a location that prevents other individuals from reading them
When talking to a patient on the telephone or in a public area care should be taken to ensure that sensitive information is not overheard by other patients
Details of names, addresses, telephone numbers, attendance or financial record, treatment histories or plans, medical history or information about other family members should not be divulged
Messages regarding patient care should not be left on answer machines. A message to call the practice is all that can be left
Disclosure of appointment book information should not be made to third parties without first referring to a senior member of staff or practice owner
Discussions being conducted within hearing of any patient should be on strictly professional matters, never discussing a patient by name
Conversations on non-professional matters should be reserved for the staff room
Any member of staff who breaks these rules will be liable for summary dismissal
All data processed at this practice must remain confidential even if your employment has terminated (it is an offence under the Date Protection Act 1998 to disclose such information)