Privacy & Dignity Policy
Privacy is the freedom of intrusion and dignity is being worthy of respect.
Aim
To achieve high standards of patient dignity and to put patient experience high on the agenda.
Objectives
To provide a framework for improving the patient experience in all care areas within our dental practice
around six key themes:
- Attitudes and behaviours
- Personal world and identity
- Personal boundaries and space
- Communication between staff and patients
- Privacy and confidentiality of personal information
- Privacy, dignity and modesty.
General Principles
Every member of staff has a duty to see that the privacy and dignity of all patients are respected.
The practice consistently monitors the environment within the practice with regard to privacy and dignity issues.
Respectful attitudes and behaviours are promoted and assured preventing patients experiencing offensive and negative attitude and behaviours.
Patients and relatives/carers should be given clear information on how to raise concerns and to whom.
Problems in relation to standards and guidelines on privacy and dignity in care of patients shall be monitored and reported through the incident reporting system.
Attitudes & Behaviours – Patients feel that they matter all the time.
- Respectful attitudes and behaviours are promoted and assured, including consideration of non-verbal
behaviour and body language.
- Issues about attitude and behaviour towards minority groups are addressed with individual staff.
Personal World & Personal Identity – Patients experience care in an environment that actively encompasses individual values, beliefs and personal relationships.
- Stereotypical views are challenged, and the valuing of diversities is demonstrated.
- Individual needs and choices are ascertained and continuously reviewed.
Personal Boundaries & Space – A patient’s personal space is actively promoted by all staff.
- The name that the patient wants to be called is agreed and noted.
- The acceptability of personal contact (touch) is identified with the individual patient.
- Personal and private space is respected and protected for individuals and privacy is effectively maintained.
Communication between Staff and Patients – Communication between staff and patients takes place in a
manner that respects their individuality.
- Access to translation and interpretation services is provided as appropriate.
- Information is adapted to meet the needs of individual patients are identified.
- All information is factual in plain language with no jargon or abbreviations and given at the required level of understanding.
- Relevant communication exchanges are recorded.
Privacy & Confidentiality of Personal Information – Information is shared with consent to enable care
- Informed consent is sought when using trained interpreters.
- Precautions are taken to prevent information being shared inappropriately.
- The practice’s, consent, confidentiality policy, Caldicott principles and information security policies must always be adhered to.
Privacy, Dignity & Modesty – Patients care actively promotes their privacy and dignity and protects their modesty.
- Patients are protected from unwanted public view whenever appropriate.
- A private area is created or made available.
Approved By: Masoud Shahram , Laura Nicholls
Date Published: 02/10/2023
Privacy Notice for Patients including children
This privacy notice sets out how Norwich Dental Care 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 Laura Nicholls.
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 on protected computer systems. 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 norwichdentalcare@gmail.com
- 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 norwichdentalcare@gmail.com
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.
Privacy notice for Children
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 and recalls.
- Personal details of family members or emergency contact details
- Medical history including your GP’s name and address
- Information about the treatment we have proposed and provided
- Notes of conversations or incidents that might occur for which a record needs to be kept
- Correspondence to other healthcare professions such as referrals
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.
What do we do with your Information?
We will only share your personal information to another dentist or doctor, such as for an orthodontic referral. We will not share your personal information to anyone else unless needed for legal reasons.
How do we store your Information?
Your Information is stored securely at the practice on protected computer systems. Computer information is backed up regularly and may be securely stored away from our premises.
Retention periods
For children – we will retain your dental records for 11 years or until they reach the age of 25 (whichever is longer).
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 norwichdentalcare@gmail.com
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.
Approved By: Masoud Shahram , Laura Nicholls
Date Published: 25/10/2023
