CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

This laboratory recognises that all members of the team have an ethical and legal duty to keep patient information confidential. The relationship this laboratory has with each client is based on trust that information will not be given to external persons or organisations without their consent. All members of the laboratory team are expected to comply with this policy and are advised to be aware of the confidentiality clause within their staff contract. Breaches of this policy could lead to dismissal.

We will:
• Use information only for the purposes for which it was given.
• Prevent information from being accidentally revealed.
• Prevent unauthorised access by keeping information secure at all times.

Only in exceptional circumstances can a breach of confidentiality be justified.

Preventing breaches of confidentiality
We will keep all confidential data stored securely and will not allow it to be placed in areas where data may be seen by unauthorised personnel.

We will not provide information:
• To third parties without clients’ consent.

We will only leave messages to return our phone call.

Disclosure of information
• We will obtain the client’s consent first, where possible and make sure they understand what information is being released, why and any likely consequences.
• We will release the minimum required.
• We will be prepared to justify our decisions and follow on action.

If we use case information) for teaching purposes, it will remain within the laboratory premises and the client and patient information will be anonymised.

Exceptional circumstances
Responsibility for disclosure rests with the client only. Under no circumstances will any other member of our staff make such a decision.

A court may order us to release information without the patient or client’s consent. If so, we will only release the minimum information.

More information
For more information on this topic, speak with the laboratory owner or Laboratory Operations Manager.

Useful organisations:
General Dental Council (www.gdc-uk.org)
Information Commissioner (https://ico.org.uk/)